Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA) on Sunday said he believes the ex-girlfriend of Maine Democrat Graham Platner, Lyndsey Fifield, whose allegations of emotional abuse and toxic behavior were published in the New York Times last week.Khanna, who has endorsed Platner and campaigned by his side, said on CBS’s Face the Nation that he believes Fifield and condemned Platner’s actions, but emphasized Fifield should not be attacked for coming forward.“I believe her,” Khanna said. “I think Graham acted shamefully, and he acted … as a toxic relationship. It is shameful. It is ugly. It happened in a dark period of his life.”
Khanna noted that Platner has owned up to his mistakes when speaking to Maine voters, and the voters Khanna has spoken with understand the allegations brought against the Senate hopeful and are willing to “embrace redemption.”
Platner had characterized the allegations made by Fifield as “politically motivated” and pointed out that his former partner is a registered Republican and has voted for GOP candidates.
However, Khanna said partisanship does not warrant attacks on Fifield.
“I do not think we should be attacking her,” Khanna said, adding that the New York Times journalist who wrote the expose detailing Fifield’s experience with Platner also shouldn’t be subjected to attacks.
