Graham Platner, a Democratic candidate for the US Senate in Maine, has rejected allegations of abusive behaviour detailed in a New York Times article, calling them “politically motivated”. The article, published on Thursday, includes claims from a former partner, Lyndsey Fifield, who accused Platner of physical misconduct and making offensive remarks about women and rape.
Platner, 41, a progressive running in next week’s Democratic primary, faces renewed calls to withdraw amid scrutiny over past social media posts and a tattoo recognised as a Nazi symbol. He gave no indication he would step aside, telling MS Now’s Chris Hayes: “There are some allegations in this piece that are simply not true. Anything alleging physicality, anything alleging I knew what my tattoo was, these are the statements of somebody politically motivated.”
The New York Times report, based on interviews with more than two dozen people, includes Fifield’s account that Platner grabbed her by the shoulders, yanked her from a taxi, twisted her arm, and locked her in a bedroom. She also alleged he used crude language about women and said he would rape an intruder to show dominance. Platner “strongly disputes” any physical intimidation, and the Times said it could not independently corroborate Fifield’s claims.
Fifield, a conservative operative who has worked for the Heritage Foundation and Nikki Haley’s campaign, also cast doubt on Platner’s claim that he was unaware his tattoo was a Nazi symbol, saying he had referred to it as “my Totenkopf” years earlier. Platner denied this, suggesting Fifield was behind earlier reports about the tattoo. His campaign described her as “a lifelong GOP operative”.
The article also cited two other women who dated Platner, including Jenny Racicot, who said she recognised a version of him from his online comments. Three other former partners gave more positive accounts, describing him as caring and charming. Platner, a combat veteran, has previously apologised for social media posts.
