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Rep. Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., told NBC’s “Meet the Press” Sunday that he regrets endorsing Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner after recent sexual harassment allegations.
Platner announced he would end his campaign last week after a report accused him of sexually assaulting his ex-girlfriend in 2021. Several top Democrats initially opposed the candidate before the report in his bid to defeat longtime Republican Sen. Susan Collins.
One of them includes Khanna, who personally campaigned with Platner in June amid other growing controversies and allegations of sexual misconduct.
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Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner has suspended his campaign after allegations of sexual harassment against him. (Sophie Park/Getty Images)
“He has stood by her in a series of past controversies, from a Nazi insignia drawing to an online post accusing survivors of sexual assault, even after the New York Times published allegations from ex-girlfriends describing a pattern of emotionally abusive, aggressive behavior, which she denied we had to report,” said host Kristen Welker. “Why were those past arguments not the point for you?
“For me, the line was always sexually harassing or sexually violent, and when that came out, I was the first person to withdraw my approval,” Khanna said. “But I will say that I got that wrong call, and if there’s any self-awareness, that we all need to recognize early signs of people who might be involved in domestic violence. I wasn’t the only one. You had Planned Parenthood. You had Sen. [Elizabeth] Warren. You had the entire Democratic Party. But I didn’t get this call right.”
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Rep. Ro Khanna, (right), previously campaigned with Graham Platner, (left), despite his growing list of scandals. (Getty Images)
Khanna added, “I think the important thing, though, is to understand his politics. He was against foreign wars, Medicare for All and why the progressive movement, in general, why these issues resonate.”
“Do you regret letting him?” Welker asked.
“Yes. I got that call wrong. I admire a lot of people, but if I make a mistake, I take responsibility. And I think what people want is the humility to take responsibility when you make the wrong call,” said Khanna.
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Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., withdrew his endorsement of Graham Platner after he was accused of sexual harassment by an ex-girlfriend. (Benjamin Fanjoy/Getty Images)
Khanna has previously appeared to play down the allegations against Platner, revealing that he was a military veteran who suffered from PTSD.
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“My opinion is, even with the New York Times piece, they said there was no damage, no injuries,” Khanna said on CBS’ “Face the Nation” last month. “It was toxic, and there was verbal intimidation, which I condemn, but Graham made it clear that there was no evidence of violence. That, to me, is a red line.”
