Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA) threw his support behind progressive candidate Troy Jackson in the Maine Senate race on Thursday as the state’s Democratic Party gathers to pick a replacement for Graham Platner.
Khanna previously endorsed and campaigned with Platner, but withdrew his support after the oyster-farmer-turned-politician was accused of sexually assaulting his former partner. Platner announced on Wednesday that he is suspending his campaign and denied the allegations brought against him.
“I am all in for Troy Jackson to continue the populist progressive movement in Maine,” Khanna told the Washington Examiner. “He’s for Medicare for All, opposes foreign wars, and will be for workers over billionaires.”
Khanna had stuck by Platner’s side through a series of controversies, including allegations that the candidate had sent sexually explicit text messages to women other than his wife and was abusive to his ex-girlfriend. Platner also drew criticism for a Nazi tattoo that he had covered up and past social media posts.
Khanna joined Platner at a campaign rally in June, two days after the New York Times reported about the extramarital affair. The California lawmaker claimed Platner had taken accountability for his past actions, but ultimately rescinded his endorsement following the sexual assault allegations against Platner.
Jackson finished third in Maine’s gubernatorial primary last month and has served in the state’s Senate. The logger had said he was “interested” in replacing Platner on the ballot, but launched his campaign following Platner’s suspension announcement. Jackson previously supported Platner in the Senate race.
Jackson’s campaign platform has presented him, similarly to Platner’s campaign, as a champion of the working class and the best candidate to unseat Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME).
WHO IS RUNNING TO REPLACE GRAHAM PLATNER?
“There is a powerful movement of working class people in the state of Maine, and millions more across America who are ready to send a progressive fighter to the Senate,” Jackson said on his campaign website. “I’ve been fighting for that movement my whole life — and I’m sure as hell not backing down now, when this fight is needed most.”
Within hours of announcing his campaign, Jackson has raked in over 50 endorsements from current and former lawmakers in Maine, as well as local leaders.
The Maine Democratic Party now has until 5 p.m. on July 27 to select a candidate to replace Platner on the ballot. Other Democrats who have entered the race to unseat Collins include Dan Kleban, Jordan Wood, and Nirav Shah.