The political fallout surrounding Maine Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner intensified Tuesday after Bernie Sanders publicly called on the progressive candidate to suspend his campaign following a rape allegation that has prompted a wave of high-profile defections.
The allegation was made by Maine resident Jenny Racicot, who told multiple news outlets that Platner raped her in 2021 after allegedly entering her home while intoxicated and forcing her to have unprotected sex.
In a written statement, Sanders said he had spoken directly with Platner about the accusation and recommended that he "step aside," marking a dramatic reversal from his earlier support of the candidate's insurgent Senate campaign.
Sanders' decision adds to a growing list of Democratic leaders distancing themselves from Platner. Elizabeth Warren, Ro Khanna, Chris Van Hollen, Chuck Schumer, and Sheldon Whitehouse have all withdrawn or rescinded their support, with several explicitly urging him to leave the race.
Van Hollen stated that the allegations are "serious and cannot be ignored" and said Platner should suspend his campaign immediately.
Despite the mounting pressure, Platner has so far refused to withdraw, although he has not ruled out doing so. Under Maine election law, if he exits the race before the July 13 deadline, state Democrats would be able to select a replacement nominee for the general election.
The controversy has left Chris Murphy as the only prominent Democratic supporter who has not publicly abandoned Platner following the latest accusation.
The scandal represents the most serious challenge yet to Platner's once-promising Senate campaign. Progressives had viewed his candidacy as part of a broader effort to move the Democratic Party further to the left after he emerged as the party's nominee following the withdrawal of Janet Mills from the primary.
The latest allegation has also renewed scrutiny of how Democratic leaders respond to accusations of sexual misconduct involving members of their own party, particularly after years of advocating a strong stance on such allegations.
As of Tuesday, Platner had not announced plans to suspend his campaign, leaving uncertainty over the future of one of the country's most closely watched Senate races.
