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Bernie Sanders: Graham Platner should drop out of Senate race

Platner denied the allegations but had not said whether he would withdraw from the Senate race.

Bernie Sanders: Graham Platner should drop out of Senate race
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Outlet credibilityChicago Tribune82/100 HIGH
This article1 analysis · Oct 5, 2026
tl;dr

Sen. Bernie Sanders recommended that Graham Platner leave Maine’s Senate race after a woman accused Platner of sexual assault. With the deadline to withdraw approaching, Democrats are weighing how to choose a replacement as several potential candidates emerge.

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Democratic Senate nominee facing assault allegations and pressure to leave the race

PRIMARY SUBJECT
Bernie Sanders
I · VT · SEN

Senator who recommended that Platner leave the Senate race

Sanders's version of this story ↗
Nirav Shah
D · ME

Potential replacement candidate evaluating a Senate run

Susan M. Collins
R · ME · SEN

Republican senator and Platner’s prospective general-election opponent

Former Senate candidate considering entering the race

Maine secretary of state considering entering the Senate race

Chuck Schumer
D · NY · SEN

Senate Democratic leader who supported Mills’s earlier campaign

Potential replacement nominee who filed paperwork for a Senate exploratory committee

Maine governor and possible replacement candidate who previously sought the Senate nomination

ALSO MENTIONED  Adam Green, Progressive Change Campaign Committee co-founder calling for an open replacement process; Devon Murphy-Anderson, Maine Democratic Party executive director describing the party’s replacement process; Hannah Pingree, Maine Democratic gubernatorial nominee mentioned among possible replacement candidates; Jenny Racicot, Former partner who accused Platner of assault; Joanie Monteith, Platner supporter describing her reaction to the allegations; Joseph Geevarghese, Our Revolution leader who criticized the Democratic establishment and backed Jackson; Lee Holman, Maine voter who said she wants Platner to remain in the race

Part of a bigger story

20 OUTLETS
Bernie Sanders Calls on Graham Platner to Leave Senate Race

Graham Platner’s Maine Senate campaign drew criticism, and Bernie Sanders had supported his candidacy. Right-leaning outlets focus on Sanders’s role in backing Platner and the consequences for progressive politics; one emphasizes Democratic campaign strategy, while another assigns responsibility to Sanders and other progressives.

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