Sen. Bernie Sanders called on Graham Platner to drop out of the race for Maine’s U.S. Senate seat on Tuesday, leaving the scandal-scarred candidate without the support of one of his first and most steadfast allies.
“I have spoken with Graham Platner about the best path forward for Maine. In light of these very serious allegations, I have recommended that he step aside,” Sanders wrote in a short statement posted to X.
Platner faced a series of calls for him to drop out of the race after Politico reported Monday that he allegedly raped a woman he used to date in 2021. The story was just one of several over the course of the past year accusing Platner of misconduct, including a lengthy report in The New York Times that featured several women who accused Platner of “unsettling” behavior.
Platner has faced a list of other controversies as well — including problematic Reddit posts, claims that he had a Nazi-linked tattoo and allegations that he sent sexually explicit messages to other women early in his marriage.
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The embattled candidate largely admitted to the other allegations, but he has vehemently denied engaging in nonconsensual sex, calling the accusation “categorically untrue.”
Sanders’ suggestion that Platner step down is the latest in a cascade of similar calls.
The Maine Democratic party called on Platner to step down on Monday, citing “multiple credible allegations from women.” Democratic leadership, including several Washington power brokers who initially backed Platner’s Democratic opponent, Gov. Janet Mills, in the primary, also called for him to back out of the race against incumbent Sen. Susan Collins.
“The allegations reported today are incredibly disturbing — violence, abuse and sexual assault are absolutely unacceptable,” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and New York Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand , the chair of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, said in a joint statement. “The DSCC will not invest in the Maine Senate race if Platner remains on the ballot.”
Immediately upon entering the race, Democrats compared Platner to Sanders, pointing to their progressive platforms and support for policies like “Medicare for All.” The loss of support from Sanders, though widely expected, represents a gut punch to Platner’s campaign that will prove difficult to recover from.
Platner has not yet dropped out of the race and appears to be weighing his options. The candidate said in a video posted to X on Monday that his team is “taking the time to reflect on the best path forward.” Platner has not issued any additional statements since Sanders withdrew his support on Tuesday.
In the meantime, several contenders are lining up to replace Platner.
Former Maine state Senate President Troy Jackson, who filed paperwork to form an exploratory committee and officially consider replacing Platner on Tuesday, appeared with both him and Sanders at a rally in May.
Jackson, like Sanders, also rescinded his endorsement after Politico’s report.
Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows, former public health chief Nirav Shah and former 2nd Congressional District candidate Jordan Wood have also been floated as potential replacements should Platner decide to drop out before the filing deadline passes next week.
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