Sen. Bernie Sanders says he encouraged Graham Platner to step aside

Washington — Independent Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont said Tuesday that helium spoke with Maine Democratic Senate nominee Graham Platner and recommended that helium exit the Senate contention aft a bombshell study Monday accusing Platner of intersexual assault. Platner denied the allegation.

"I person spoken with Graham Platner astir the champion way guardant for Maine," Sanders said successful a statement. "In airy of these precise superior allegations, I person recommended that helium measurement aside."

On Monday, Politico reported that a Maine woman, Jenny Racicot, said Platner entered her location without support successful precocious 2021 erstwhile helium was drunk and forced himself connected her. Racicot said she and Platner met connected a dating app successful 2019 and had consensual relations earlier the nighttime of the alleged intersexual assault.

Platner called the allegation "categorically false," but helium indicated Monday that helium was reflecting connected "the champion way forward."

Sanders' connection marks a cardinal development, aft a series of Democrats who had antecedently supported Platner withdrew their endorsements Monday oregon urged him to retreat from the race. But the opinion of the Vermont independent, who has been 1 of Platner's cardinal supporters, carries important weight. 

The Senate Democrats' run limb has already said it would not put successful the contention if Platner remained connected the ballot, and the Senate Majority PAC said it was redirecting resources distant from the Maine Senate contention aft the allegation, severely limiting his campaign's quality to proceed done the November election. 

Platner won the Democratic superior to instrumentality connected GOP Sen. Susan Collins past month. But nether Maine predetermination law, candidates whitethorn beryllium replaced if they retreat by 5 p.m. connected the 2nd Monday successful July. After that, the authorities governmental enactment has 2 weeks to prime a caller nominee.

In:

• United States Senate
• Bernie Sanders
• Maine