Democratic Senator Bernie Sanders faces mounting pressure to rescind his endorsement of Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner after a woman accused the candidate of sexual assault, prompting a wave of Democratic leaders to withdraw their support.
On July 6, 2026, Politico reported that Jenny Racicot, who previously dated Platner, said he entered her home uninvited in 2021 and forced her to have sex without her consent. Platner denied the allegations and said he is “taking the time to reflect on the best path forward,” according to reporting from multiple outlets.
The allegation triggered an immediate exodus of Democratic endorsements. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer called on Platner to “immediately withdraw” from the race, and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, chair of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, said the committee would no longer invest in the race if Platner stayed on the ballot. The Democratic National Committee, Senate Majority PAC, and other major Democratic groups also rescinded their support or redirected resources away from the Maine Senate race, according to Politico.
Our Revolution, the progressive organization formed to advance the goals of Sanders’ 2016 presidential campaign, withdrew its endorsement and called on Platner to drop out. However, Sanders himself has not yet publicly commented on the allegations or the pressure to rescind his endorsement, according to the Washington Post and Politico.
Sanders had been one of Platner’s earliest and most vocal supporters. He endorsed Platner in August 2025 and campaigned for him in Maine before the June Democratic primary. The Vermont senator had defended Platner in early June 2026 when reports emerged of sexually explicit text messages, saying Platner was “getting through” marriage problems, according to The Hill.
The collapse of Democratic support represents a dramatic reversal from earlier in the campaign. In June, many Democrats had defended or begrudgingly accepted Platner’s candidacy even after reports of offensive online comments, a tattoo that resembled a Nazi symbol, and accusations of past mistreatment of women. Now, prominent Democratic senators including Elizabeth Warren, Mark Kelly, Elissa Slotkin, Jon Ossoff, Cory Booker, and Adam Schiff have called for him to exit the race. Even Sen. Ruben Gallego, one of Platner’s staunch supporters, withdrew his endorsement.
Maine Democratic Party leadership also called on Platner to drop out. Under Maine law, if Platner withdraws before July 14, the state party can select a replacement nominee. Former Democratic gubernatorial candidates Troy Jackson, Secretary of State Shenna Bellows, and others are reportedly considering stepping in, according to Politico.
Sources
- Politico — reported the sexual assault allegation and Democratic abandonment of Platner, including that Sanders had not yet commented
- The Washington Post — reported that top Democrats pulled endorsements and that Sanders did not respond to questions about the allegations
- The Hill — reported Sanders’ June 1 statement defending Platner
