Senate Candidate Platner Denies Ex-Girlfriend’s Abuse Claims
6 verified4 unconfirmed
Maine Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner has denied allegations from an ex-girlfriend that he physically abused her during their relationship more than a decade ago. Lyndsey Fifield told The New York Times that Platner twisted her arm behind her back, shoved her into a bedroom, and held the door closed, among other incidents. Platner, a former Marine and oyster farmer who is favored to win Tuesday’s primary, acknowledged being a “far from perfect boyfriend” due to undiagnosed PTSD and alcohol abuse but called the serious allegations false and politically motivated. Fifield, a conservative activist, insisted her claims were not politically motivated. The Times report also detailed a controversy over a skull tattoo on Platner’s chest that he initially denied recognizing as a Nazi symbol, though Fifield said he joked about it. Reactions have been split along partisan lines, with some Democrats continuing to support Platner while conservatives have criticized the media coverage.
What’s verified
Lyndsey Fifield alleges Platner twisted her arm behind her back, shoved her into a bedroom, and held the door closed.
Platner denies the physical abuse allegations but admits to being a bad boyfriend due to PTSD and alcohol.
Platner is the presumptive Democratic nominee for the U.S. Senate in Maine.
Fifield is a conservative activist; Platner and his supporters have suggested her claims are politically motivated.
The New York Times report also covered Platner’s skull tattoo, which has been associated with Nazism; Platner said he didn’t recognize the symbol, but Fifield said he joked about it being a “Totenkopf.”
Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA) has continued to support Platner following the allegations.
Not yet confirmed
Another ex-girlfriend, Jenny Racicot, told the Times that Platner once came to her house drunk in 2021 after she asked him not to come over, according to one source.
Platner has also faced revelations about sexually explicit text messages sent while married and past Reddit posts containing homophobic slurs and dismissive comments about military sexual assaults, reported by a single source.
Fifield posted on social media that the Times omitted accusations of sexual assault from other women, according to one source.
Specific details about the corroborating witnesses Fifield claims she provided remain undisclosed.
Misconceptions
The sources address the misconception that Fifield’s allegations are solely politically motivated because she is a Republican. Fifield has denied political motivation, while Platner has asserted it. The sources also address the misconception that Platner was unaware of the Nazi symbolism of his tattoo, presenting conflicting accounts from Platner and Fifield.
Key figures
Graham Platner, U.S. Senate candidate (D-ME)
Lyndsey Fifield, ex-girlfriend and conservative activist
Jenny Racicot, ex-girlfriend (mentioned in one source)
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) (mentioned in one source)
Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA)
Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) (mentioned in one source)
Sources: abcnews.com, reason.com
