Bernie Sanders Recommends Graham Platner Exit Maine Senate Race After Allegation

Independent Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont said Tuesday that he spoke with Maine Democratic Senate nominee Graham Platner and recommended that he exit the race. Sanders issued the statement one day after Politico reported that Jenny Racicot alleged Platner entered her home without permission in late 2021 while drunk and forced himself on her.

Racicot said she and Platner met on a dating app in 2019 and had consensual relations before the night of the alleged assault. Platner called the allegation categorically false and indicated Monday that he was reflecting on the best path forward. Sanders stated that the recommendation followed the serious nature of the claims.

"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 said. A series of Democrats who had previously supported Platner withdrew their endorsements Monday or urged him to withdraw from the race, CBS News reported.

The Senate Democrats' campaign arm said it would not invest in the race if Platner remained on the ballot. The Senate Majority PAC said it was redirecting resources away from the Maine Senate race after the allegation. Platner won the Democratic primary to take on GOP Sen.

Susan Collins last month. Under Maine election law, candidates may be replaced if they withdraw by 5 p.m. on the second Monday in July, after which the state political party has two weeks to select a new nominee.