Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) has withdrawn his endorsement of Graham Platner, the Democratic Senate candidate in Maine, following allegations of sexual assault. Platner suspended his campaign on Wednesday after Politico reported that he was accused of raping his then-girlfriend in 2021. Sanders, who had been one of Platner's most vocal supporters, initially stood by him despite prior controversies, including a Nazi tattoo and offensive social media posts.
Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) criticized Sanders for his role in elevating Platner, calling on him to apologize to Maine voters. Fetterman argued that Sanders bears significant responsibility for Platner's candidacy and accused him of pushing 'communists and anti-American people' into the Democratic Party. Sanders has endorsed over 70 candidates this election cycle, some of whom have faced scrutiny over their backgrounds.
The fallout from Platner's campaign has reignited debates within the Democratic Party about candidate vetting and the influence of the progressive wing. Some centrist Democrats argue that the party's left flank is out of step with the broader electorate, particularly in competitive races. Sanders' withdrawal of support came after he had previously defended Platner despite multiple scandals.