{"id":2627420,"date":"2026-07-09T16:31:00","date_gmt":"2026-07-09T20:31:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/ro-khanna-backs-troy-jackson-as-graham-platner-replacement\/"},"modified":"2026-07-09T16:31:55","modified_gmt":"2026-07-09T20:31:55","slug":"ro-khanna-backs-troy-jackson-as-graham-platner-replacement","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/ro-khanna-backs-troy-jackson-as-graham-platner-replacement\/","title":{"rendered":"Ro Khanna backs Troy Jackson as Graham Platner replacement"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">18<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fro-khanna-backs-troy-jackson-as-graham-platner-replacement%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2627420&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA) expressed support for progressive candidate troy Jackson in the Maine Senate race, following the democratic Party&#8217;s search for a replacement for Graham Platner. Khanna had previously endorsed Platner but withdrew after allegations of sexual assault and other controversies arose against him. Platner announced the suspension of his campaign and denied the allegations. Jackson, a maine State Senator with a background as a logger, has gained momentum, endorsing a platform focused on supporting the working class and unseating Senator susan Collins. After launching his campaign, jackson received over 50 endorsements and is considered a strong candidate to continue the progressive movement in maine. The Maine Democratic Party is currently selecting a replacement candidate, with other Democrats like Dan Kleban, Jordan Wood, and Nirav Shah also vying for the position.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<article class=\"fn-body\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Rep. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/ro-khanna\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"5039\">Ro Khanna<\/a> (D-CA) threw his support behind <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/progressives\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"1115\">progressive<\/a> candidate Troy Jackson in the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/maine\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"193\">Maine<\/a> Senate race on Thursday as the state\u2019s Democratic Party gathers to pick a replacement for <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/graham-platner\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"22643\">Graham Platner<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Khanna previously endorsed and campaigned with Platner, but withdrew his support after the <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >oyster-farmer-turned-politician<\/a> was accused of <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/sexual-assault\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"143\">sexually assaulting<\/a> his former partner. Platner announced on Wednesday that he is suspending his campaign and denied the allegations brought against him.<\/p>\n<section class=\"explore-more-section\" id=\"wex-recommended-widget\">\n<div class=\"magazine-container single\">\n<h1 class=\"magazine-title mt-2\">Recommended Stories<\/h1>\n<p>             <i class=\"fa-solid fa-play icon\"><\/i>         <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-grid\">\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4642622\/ro-khanna-endorses-troy-jackson-replace-graham-platner-maine-senate-race\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Ro Khanna backs Troy Jackson as Platner\u2019s replacement in Maine Senate race<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4642389\/james-talarico-fundraising-tripled-dwarf-ken-paxton-closely-watched-race\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Talarico campaign fundraising numbers dwarf rival Paxton\u2019s with $30 million haul<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4642035\/valli-geiger-sponsored-bill-hold-rapists-accountable\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Platner\u2019s possible replacement, who is standing by him, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/biden-admin-quietly-auctioning-off-parts-of-unused-border-wall-report\/\" title=\"Biden administration discreetly selling sections of unused border wall: ...ort\">sponsored bill aimed<\/a> at holding rapists accountable<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI am all in for Troy Jackson to continue the populist progressive movement in Maine,\u201d Khanna told the <em>Washington Examiner<\/em>. \u201cHe\u2019s for Medicare for All, opposes foreign wars, and will be for workers over billionaires.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-15\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-1\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Khanna had stuck by Platner\u2019s side through a series of controversies, including allegations that the candidate had sent <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wall-street-journal-embraces-book-ban-hoax\/\" title=\"Wall Street Journal Falls for &#039;Book Ban&#039; Hoax\">sexually explicit text messages<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Khanna joined Platner at a campaign rally in June, two days after the <em>New York Times<\/em> reported about the extramarital affair. The California lawmaker claimed Platner had taken accountability for his past actions, but ultimately rescinded his endorsement following the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/poll-one-in-six-biden-voters-would-have-changed-their-vote-if-they-had-known-about-scandals-suppressed-by-media\/\" title=\"Poll: One In Six Biden Voters Would Have Changed Their Vote If They Had Known About Scandals Suppressed By Media\">sexual assault allegations<\/a> against Platner.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Jackson finished third in Maine\u2019s gubernatorial primary last month and has served in the state\u2019s Senate. The logger had said he was \u201cinterested\u201d in replacing Platner on the ballot, but launched his campaign following Platner\u2019s suspension announcement. Jackson previously supported Platner in the Senate race.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-16\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-2\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Jackson\u2019s campaign platform has presented him, similarly to Platner\u2019s campaign, as a champion of the working class and the best candidate to unseat Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME).<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4641945\/graham-platner-replacements-maine-senate-democrats\/\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4641945\/graham-platner-replacements-maine-senate-democrats\/\">WHO IS RUNNING TO REPLACE GRAHAM PLATNER?<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThere is a powerful movement of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/a-taste-of-the-future-global-elites-at-world-economic-forum-promote-fake-meat-produced-from-a-3d-printer-video\/\" title=\"...A Taste of the Future\u201d \u2013 Global Elites at World Economic Forum Promote Fake \u2018Meat\u2019 Produced From a 3D Printer (VIDEO)\">working class people<\/a> in the state of Maine, and millions more across America who are ready to send a progressive fighter to the Senate,\u201d Jackson said on his <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/jacksonformaine.com\/\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/jacksonformaine.com\/\">campaign website<\/a>. \u201cI\u2019ve been fighting for that movement my whole life \u2014 and I\u2019m sure as hell not backing down now, when this fight is needed most.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-17\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-3\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">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.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Maine\u00a0Democratic Party\u00a0now 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.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-4\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-4\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-25\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-4\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Ro Khanna backs Troy Jackson in Maine Senate race after Platner&#8217;s withdrawal<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4130,"featured_media":2627421,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/AP26150532848294.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[21510,5894,32530,82490],"class_list":["post-2627420","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-endorsements","tag-politics","tag-ro-khanna","tag-troy-jackson"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/AP26150532848294.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2627420","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4130"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2627420"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2627420\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2627424,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2627420\/revisions\/2627424"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2627421"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2627420"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2627420"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2627420"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}