Pressure Mounts on Graham Platner to Withdraw from Senate Race

Recent allegations of sexual assault have sparked calls from prominent Democrats for Senate candidate Graham Platner to exit the race. Notably, Senator Bernie Sanders and New York City Mayor Zoran Mamdani have added their voices to this growing demand.

Both figures, identifying as socialists, joined Senator John Fetterman (D-Pennsylvania) on Tuesday after Jenny Racicot, a 41-year-old from Maine, made serious allegations against Platner, also 41. Racicot claims they met via a dating app in 2019 and had a tumultuous romantic relationship since that time.

“I have discussed the best path forward for Maine with Graham Platner. Given these very serious allegations, I have recommended that he resign,” stated Senator Sanders.

Platner is recognized as a progressive, branding himself as a “New Deal Democrat” and a “working-class Democrat.” He had received Sanders’ endorsement previously. Despite the recent allegations, which include exchanges of explicit messages with several women during his marriage, Sanders had supported him until now.

“I think it’s time for him to withdraw from the race,” Mamdani told reporters.

Mamdani is also known as Morris Katz and shares a progressive background with Platner.

“I think the only appropriate response is to end the campaign,” he remarked.

Representative Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.) has also joined the chorus of Democrats urging Platner’s withdrawal.

“I am calling on Graham Platner to withdraw his support and immediately step down from the race so that we can find a progressive fighter who will genuinely represent the people and aid in reclaiming the Senate,” she emphasized. “These allegations are devastating and cannot be overlooked.”

Fetterman, who often distances himself from the progressive label and occasionally votes with Republicans, criticized both Sanders and Platner. He suggested Sanders should apologize for endorsing individuals like Platner.

“I want to call Bernie Sanders and make him apologize for putting these types of criminals on the line more than anyone else,” Fetterman claimed, adding that Sanders owed an apology to the victims involved, particularly the women affected by Platner’s actions.

“I don’t understand why you want to keep pushing these kinds of people,” he continued. “Maybe he should think about it. Get rid of some people and stop endorsing these kinds of individuals.”

Fetterman compared the allegations against Platner to recent scandals involving former Representative Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.), who faced similar accusations and had to abandon his gubernatorial campaign in California.

“You know, I know of Democrats who have supported Mr. Swalwell back-to-back and who were also on board with Platner,” he said. “So please stop. Someone like Platner is undeniably problematic.”

Known for his casual presence, Fetterman concluded his statements by urging Platner to release all text interactions with “more than a dozen women” he allegedly communicated with, saying he would even “wear a suit every day” if Platner complied.