Bernie Sanders calls on Graham Platner to end Senate campaign after rape allegation

Finally.

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) broke with embattled Maine Democratic Senate nominee Graham Platner on Tuesday, urging the progressive candidate to abandon his Senate bid after a woman accused him of rape.

“I have spoken with Graham Platner about the best path forward for Maine. In light of these very serious allegations, I have recommended that he step aside,” Sanders said in a statement Tuesday.

The Vermont independent’s comments marked his first public response since POLITICO published allegations from Platner’s former girlfriend, Jenny Racicot, who claimed the Democrat forced her to have sex during an encounter at her home in 2021.

🚨 JUST IN: Bernie Sanders has officially called on Graham Platner to DROP OUT of the U.S. Senate race in Maine

What the hell took you so long, @BernieSanders? Was it really this difficult of a choice for you? 😂 https://t.co/m7S5sDR2ap

— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) July 7, 2026

Platner has categorically denied the allegation, insisting he did not assault Racicot and saying he is considering his next steps.

Sanders had remained publicly silent as Democrats rapidly distanced themselves from Platner, despite previously standing by the candidate through earlier controversies during the campaign.

His decision to call for Platner’s withdrawal comes after a wave of Democratic elected officials, party leaders and progressive allies urged the nominee to suspend his campaign Monday night, arguing the allegation made his candidacy untenable.

Sanders had been one of Platner’s highest-profile supporters, making his reversal a significant blow to the Democrat’s increasingly shaky campaign as pressure mounts for him to exit the race.

This story is developing…

Bernie Sanders says he told Graham Platner to ‘step aside’ https://t.co/82yGgx7x2i

— POLITICO (@politico) July 7, 2026