Sanders says he is not rethinking endorsement of Maine Senate candidate

Sen. Bernie Sanders addressed new criticism against the candidate he endorsed in Maine’s Senate race. Democratic candidate Graham Platner faces reports that he sent sexual messages to women who were not his wife. “I’m sure he’s not a saint,” Sanders told CNN’s Kaitlan Collins on Tuesday evening.

The Vermont senator, who caucuses with the Democrats, has endorsed the military veteran’s bid to oust incumbent GOP Sen. Susan Collins and defended him from criticism.

Background on the candidate Platner is the leading Democrat in the race after Maine Gov. Janet Mills dropped out of the contest. Sanders cited Platner’s past struggles with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder after his deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan.

“He went through some very bloody and horrible situations,” the lawmaker said. “He has acknowledged that he came back with PTSD.