Sen. Bernie Sanders encourages Graham Platner to 'step aside'
Platner denied the allegations and said his campaign was considering the best path forward.

SOURCE CHECK
TAP FOR WHYCredibility rates WCVB, which republished this story. The other scores rate the article itself.
WCVB is an established local television newsroom with an attributed reporter and a record of local reporting. The article identifies the source of the allegations and includes Platner’s response, while relying substantially on Politico’s reporting for the underlying account.
- Source type — Established local-news broadcaster; a generally credible basis for reporting.
- Editorial standards — The article attributes allegations and includes the subject’s denial, though it relies on another outlet’s reporting for much of the underlying account.
- Author attribution — A reporter is named.
The article attributes the allegations to Racicot and Politico, describes documents Politico said it reviewed, and includes Platner’s denial and the political consequences. Its main limitation is that the article does not independently establish the alleged conduct and gives little additional corroborating detail.
HOW WE SCORE ↗The article presents the accuser’s account, describes materials Politico said it reviewed, and includes Platner’s denial. However, the allegation receives extensive detail while the denial and any independent assessment are comparatively limited.
- Source diversity — The article includes multiple lawmakers’ reactions, but the underlying allegation is mainly presented through Politico’s reporting and Racicot’s account.
- Counterarguments presented — Platner’s categorical denial and his statement about reflecting on the campaign’s path forward are included.
- Omitted context — No independent determination of the allegation is reported, and the article provides limited additional corroboration beyond what Politico said it reviewed.
The article uses largely neutral language and attributes both the allegations and Platner’s denial. Its focus on Democrats urging withdrawal reflects the reported political response rather than a discernible partisan framing.
- Language tone — Mostly factual wording; allegations and responses are attributed.
- Source selection — Includes the accuser’s account, reporting attributed to Politico, Platner’s denial and statements by lawmakers.
- Framing — Centers on Sanders’s call and the broader political response, consistent with the headline.
Republished
Republished from WMTW. The relationship between the two publishers has not been determined.
27 stories · 74–76 · updated Oct 6, 2026
This is WMTW's own score, and this article is credited to WMTW. The host score in the Source Check is WCVB's.
Bernie Sanders says he urged Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner to leave the race after a woman accused Platner of sexual assault. Several other Democrats also called for him to withdraw or rescinded their endorsements, while Platner denied the allegations.
Sanders said he recommended that Platner step aside in light of what he called serious allegations. Politico reported that Jenny Racicot, who said she had dated Platner, accused him of sexually assaulting her in 2021; the article recounts her account and says Politico reviewed related documents. Platner called the allegations false and said his campaign was reflecting on the best path forward.
Jeanne Shaheen, Elizabeth Warren, Ed Markey, Seth Moulton, Kirsten Gillibrand, Chuck Schumer, Ro Khanna, Ruben Gallego and Martin Heinrich urged Platner to withdraw or said they could no longer support his candidacy. Platner’s campaign had paused payments for political ads, and the article said he had until July 13 to withdraw, after which the state party would have until July 27 to choose a replacement.
Community verdict
20 VOTESPeople in this story
SWIPE →Senator who urged Graham Platner to step aside
Sanders's version of this story ↗Senator and Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee chair who urged Platner to withdraw
Maine senator and Republican incumbent in the race
Senator who said he could not support Platner’s candidacy
President whom Warren said Democrats should hold accountable
Senator who withdrew support for Platner and urged him to step aside
Senate Democratic leader who urged Platner to withdraw
Senator who called for Platner to leave the race
Representative who called for Platner to withdraw
Senator who withdrew her endorsement and urged Platner to step aside
Representative who withdrew his endorsement and called for Platner to leave the race
Senator who rescinded his endorsement of Platner
Part of a bigger story
20 OUTLETSGraham 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.
- ARTICLES
- 21
- OUTLETS
- 20
- AVG CRED
- 65
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