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Bernie Sanders calls on Graham Platner to withdraw from Senate race amid sexual assault claims
The Guardian • • general
Key Points:
- Progressive Senator Bernie Sanders has urged Graham Platner to withdraw from the Maine US Senate race following serious sexual assault allegations reported by Politico, which Platner denies.
- Several prominent Democrats, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senator Elizabeth Warren, have called for Platner to step aside, with the party threatening to withhold campaign funding if he remains.
- Platner, a Marine veteran and oyster farmer, won the Democratic primary by a historic margin, positioning Maine as a key battleground for Democrats aiming to flip a Senate seat currently held by Republican Susan Collins.
- The Maine Democratic Party must finalize a replacement candidate by July 13 if Platner withdraws, allowing a two-week window to select a new nominee before the November general election.
- The allegations have led to a rapid collapse of institutional support, with several endorsers rescinding their backing and progressive leaders like NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani calling for Platner to end his campaign immediately.
