Sen. Bernie Sanders Urges Graham Platner to Exit Maine Senate Race

Senator Bernie Sanders has advised Graham Platner, a Democratic candidate for the Maine Senate, to “drop out” following new allegations of rape against him.

Sanders mentioned, “I’ve had a conversation with Graham Platner regarding the best way forward for Maine,” adding, “Considering these very serious allegations, I’ve recommended that he resign.”

According to a report from politiko, Jenny Racicot accused Platner of showing up at her home uninvited in 2021 and sexually assaulting her. “I recall him forcefully grabbing my pelvis, and in that moment, I thought, ‘This isn’t my choice anymore,'” Racicot shared.

Sanders had previously defended Platner against other controversies, emphasizing that Platner “has the courage to confront the interests of big money.”

He stated, “The reason they don’t want him in the Senate is that he has the courage to challenge big money interests, advocate for healthcare as a basic right, and demand that billionaires pay their fair share in taxes.”

Additionally, Platner has faced backlash for having Nazi tattoos and a scandal concerning sexually explicit messages he sent to a woman shortly after their marriage.

There have also been troubling comments made by Platner regarding sexual assault victims in now-deleted Reddit posts. He suggested that victims should “take some responsibility for themselves” and advised people to avoid alcohol to steer clear of “dangerous situations,” minimizing the challenges military personnel face when reporting assaults.

Following the report from politiko, several Democrats, including Representatives Ro Khanna and Senator Ruben Gallego, retracted their support for Platner. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand described the allegations as “incredibly disturbing” and urged Platner to “immediately withdraw” from the Senate race.