Ocasio-Cortez Awaits Full Review Before Commenting on Graham Platner Allegations

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., has stated she requires more time to assess new allegations against Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner before making any public statements. “This all kind of just came out. I’ve been doing legislative business on the floor, so I need to dig into everything further before commenting on it,” Ocasio-Cortez mentioned. She emphasized the importance of thoroughly understanding the situation before speaking.

This cautious approach follows a report from the New York Times, which highlighted accounts from several women previously involved with Platner. These allegations include instances of aggressive behavior, involving rape fantasies, excessive drinking, and violent incidents.

Platner has addressed these claims, acknowledging his struggles with post-traumatic stress disorder due to his military service. He admitted to self-medicating with alcohol during a difficult time in his life, which affected his behavior in relationships. “Throughout this campaign, I’ve been open about what was a dark period of my life where I struggled with undiagnosed PTSD,” Platner expressed in a statement.

An ex-girlfriend, Lyndsey Fifield, recounted one troubling incident where Platner allegedly pushed her into a bedroom, twisted her arm, and locked her inside. She managed to leave after waking from sleep later. Fifield also claimed that Platner had fantasized about killing people he considered threats. Despite briefly communicating with Fox News Digital, she declined to comment further.

Additionally, the Times reported that Platner joked about a chest tattoo bearing Nazi symbols, linked to the Totenkopf used by Nazi camp guards. Platner reportedly compared himself and his military unit to a death squad, which counters his earlier stance of ignorance about the Nazi connection.

Ocasio-Cortez has not endorsed Platner, who is competing against Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine. Platner’s campaign attracts further scrutiny due to these allegations and his expressed progressive economic policies, aimed at taxing billionaires and reducing costs for workers.

The controversies surrounding Platner have raised questions due to his remarks on sensitive topics such as sexual abuse, race, terrorism, and his Nazi-related tattoo. Furthermore, past online comments showed him blaming rape victims for not protecting themselves. He also admitted to sharing explicit messages with other women after marrying his wife.

Despite this, Platner continues to secure support for his primary candidacy against Collins. Ongoing discussions with senators have focused on confirming his potential as a Democratic contender.

Maine’s Senate primaries will take place next Tuesday, adding urgency to this high-profile political race.

Reporters Charles Creitz and Tyler Olson contributed to this article.