Graham Platner denies an ex-girlfriend's report that he once twisted her arm, held her in a room

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP

By PATRICK WHITTLE
Updated 7:52 PM CDT, June 4, 2026

PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — An ex-girlfriend alleges that U.S. Senate candidate Graham Platner repeatedly grabbed her hard enough to leave marks, pulled her from a cab by the wrist, and, in one incident, twisted her arm behind her back and held her in a room when they dated more than a decade ago, according to a new report.

Lyndsey Fifield told The New York Times that Platner, a Democrat, never hit or punched her, but the incidents left her shaken and afraid. Fifield, a conservative activist, told the Times she dated Platner for about two years, starting in 2013 when he was a student at George Washington University following his military service.

Her claims were published as part of a Times report on Platner’s relationships with previous girlfriends, some of whom viewed him positively and others who described him as sometimes insulting, volatile or unfaithful.

Another woman, Jenny Racicot, who said she dated Platner on and off between 2019 and 2021, also told The Times about behavior that upset her. She said Platner once came to her house drunk in 2021 after she asked him not to come over. Racicot, a Maine Democrat, said his behavior was “reckless” and “unsettling.”


Graham Platner, Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate, greets supporters after speaking at an event hosted by Sen. Bernie Sanders in Orono, Maine, Sunday, May 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)

Read more: https://apnews.com/article/senate-election-graham-platner-susan-collins-a07b35d03ee1acc419471c048572b065

[AZLD4Candidate]

1. Timing. Hit pieces one after another. Republicans are scared and know Collins is toast.

I expect a lot of people here to DEMAND he drop out and will now villify him.

[Polybius]

14. Republicans want him to win the nomination

The primary isn't until June 9th.

[OneBlueDotS-Carolina]

2. Lyndsey Fifield, Repub Rat F****r! N/T

[Bengus81]

3. Oh well from a Conservative activist. Just gotta be true.....

Pukes running scared about that Senate seat.

[AZLD4Candidate]

4. You saw that too. Next, we're going to be told Hakeem Jefferies is a gang member from a KKK member, right?

[Multichromatic]

5. This seems a lot like the Leeann Tweeden thing with Al Franken. I really don't know what to think.

[mopinko]

6. count on the grey lady to publish any smear they can

as long as it’s about a dem.

[SamuelAdams]

7. Are the other women, Democrats, also lying?

Is Platner part of the hit piece when he admits to bad behavior? You either care about racism, sexism, homophobia, mistreating women or you don't. We mocked the MAGA cult for defending Trump no matter what and then some act just like them. I guess Platner could shoot someone and not lose a single supporter.

[intheflow]

8. Completely disengenuous.

Trump is a serial liar, rapist, billionaire who has bankrupted all is businesses, never served his country, never pays his bills, never takes responsibility for his actions, and has a cult-like following him.

Platner is a recovering alcoholic who has PTSD from serving his country during war, takes responsibility for his past behaviors, is far from being a billionaire, hasn't raped or hit any partner as far as we know, and definitely isn't leading a cult.

Apples and oranges.

[mainer]

9. The other two women (Democrats) never alleged physical abuse

they just said he was troubled.
Only the GOP activist claimed physical abuse.

And 3 women had only good things to say, and are still his friends.

[Blasphemer]

12. Agree. A Republican with the same profile would be vilified here. nt

[BaronChocula]

10. Checkers Speech time?

A More Perfect Union Speech (Rev. Jeremiah Wright repudiation) time?

[Mossfern]

11. I think they were both drunk .....

My husband, before we were married, did something similar.
I had drunk too much and was having a pretty intense hissy-fit, standing on the kitchen table dashing dinner plates to the floor.
He took me by the seat of my pants - tossed me onto the bed in the bedroom and closed the door.

It's something we laugh about now, more than 50 years later.
I guess if he were running for office, I could publicize the incident and hold it against his eligibility?

[cliffside]

13. That is what she said in the article ...

"Mr. Platner could be rough with her, Ms. Fifield said, particularly when they were drinking, leaving her shaken and sometimes afraid. In the interviews, Ms. Fifield grappled with how to process her experiences. She was quick to note that he “never hit me, he never punched me.”

[iemanja]

16. Does that make it okay?

Some men only beat their partners when they are drunk. So what? It's still assault.

[cliffside]

18. " She was quick to note that he "never hit me, he never punched me." from the NYT article ....

Is there another woman who accused him of beating her?

Did you read the full article? It sounds as if they were both going through a tough time.


"Lyndsey Fifield said she dated Mr. Platner from roughly 2013 to 2015, when they were both in their late 20s in Washington.Credit...via @lyndseyfifield

She said she recognized that Mr. Platner was struggling with the aftermath of his military service and thought she could help him. Ms. Fifield, who was navigating family challenges at the time, recalls that period as emotionally rocky for her, too..."

And to answer your question, No it is Never ok to beat a woman, sober or drunk.

[iemanja]

19. Twisting a woman's arm is abusive.

Full stop. Your excuses don't interest me. Thanks to the monumental fuck up with this nomination, Colins will likely be reelected.

[cliffside]

20. Your initial words were that he beat her, you've downgraded that to abuse even though ....

she said she was never injured and in the article there was mention of them both drinking too much.

As a woman in my early 70's I will always allow more deference to women, been there and have also been a victim in the work environment back in the day, but I also know women are not always truthful ... this was just one woman, and you have slanted what she she said in the published article.

I'm not looking to make excuses for anyone, regardless of sex. Im also not willing to take her word vs his at face value. In the NYT article, which was the focus of this post, they could not corroborate any accusations she made.

If you look at her profile on independentwomen, one can book her as a speaker, like raw milk, against LGBTQ, etc, etc. and her backing of Kavanaugh for his nomination, Collins voting for him, his vote to destroy Roe vs Wade.

I'll give some leniency to someone who served our country in wartime, and has tried to turn his life around.

There are so many vets that have committed suicide or living on the streets because of the horrors they have seen or possibly did during war. I'll give those who are trying to have a better life for themselves some kudos.

It will be a total fuck up if Collins wins and if Dems do not control the Senate and the asshole is allowed to nominate younger people to the Supreme Court.

[iemanja]

21. I never said he beat her.

That is blatantly false. I already said your excuses don’t interest me. That hasn’t changed.

[cliffside]

22. You certainly implied that in response to the initial conversation, read the entire conversation. nt

if

[Bengus81]

24. If he was 5-10 points behind Colins we wouldn't have read a word of any of "this"

No,he will likely be elected,that is the point of the Trump humping Conservative influencer suddenly showing up with this ten years later.

[iemanja]

15. Is it too late for someone else to enter the race for the D nomination?

Because none of this is good. It only makes it easier for Collins to be reelected.

[LisaL]

17. There are two other democrats on the ballot.

It is too late for anyone else to enter, considering primary is next week.

[obamanut2012]

23. Mills and Costello are on the ballot