Pennsylvania senator criticizes Vermont senator over Maine Senate candidate support

A Pennsylvania senator said a Vermont senator should apologize to Maine voters and donors for supporting a Senate candidate whose campaign ended after sexual misconduct allegations surfaced. The Pennsylvania senator made the comments on a Fox News program. He accused the Vermont senator of backing multiple left-wing candidates and described them as communists and anti-American.

Allegations against candidate The Maine Senate candidate suspended his campaign on Wednesday after two women told news outlets he committed sexual misconduct in prior relationships. One woman said he raped her in 2021. The candidate has denied the accusations. The Vermont senator had urged the candidate to withdraw after the first allegation became public.

Earlier support and prior controversies The Vermont senator had continued backing the candidate through earlier reports of a tattoo resembling a Nazi symbol, disparaging online comments about sexual assault survivors and racial groups, and allegations of mistreatment of former girlfriends.

The candidate posted an 11-minute video on social media Wednesday night stating the latest allegations are false and blaming the Democratic establishment and media for ending his campaign.