Bernie Sanders called on Graham Platner to withdraw from Maine's US Senate race on July 7, 2026, after serious allegations of sexual assault emerged against the Democratic nominee. Sanders's call matters because he had been one of Platner's earliest and most important supporters. The Guardian

The allegation came from a story published by Politico on July 6, 2026. Jenny Racicot, 41, who had previously dated Platner, said he forced her to have sex despite her saying no repeatedly. Platner denied the allegations. The Guardian

Democratic leaders responded quickly. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer called for Platner's withdrawal. Kirsten Gillibrand, who leads the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, said her organization would stop funding Platner if he stayed in the race. Maine's Democratic Party said Platner should drop out, stating that "the party stands with women and survivors." Sun Journal

Other prominent Democrats who had supported Platner also pulled back. Elizabeth Warren, Senator Ruben Gallego, and Representative Ro Khanna all withdrew their endorsements. New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, whose staff had helped run Platner's campaign, said withdrawing was the "only appropriate response." Politico

Khanna's decision to withdraw support was particularly significant. Earlier in June, when Platner faced criticism over past comments about women, Khanna had publicly defended him. Now that defense looks awkward, and it may make Khanna think twice before supporting similar candidates in the future. Politico

Platner is a 41-year-old former Marine who now farms oysters in Maine. He entered the race in August 2025 as an underdog, but his anti-establishment campaign caught fire. He beat out Governor Janet Mills, the candidate party leaders preferred, and went on to win the Democratic primary on June 9 by the biggest margin in Maine history. The Guardian Ballotpedia His reward was a chance to run against Susan Collins, a Republican who has held the Senate seat for five terms and is a major target for national Democrats. The Guardian

What happened is notable: Platner's campaign had already survived earlier problems involving complaints about how he treated women. But a direct accusation of sexual assault is different—Democrats responded far more seriously to that than they did to earlier concerns. The shift reveals something about how the party draws lines on character.

Former President Donald Trump called Platner a "thug," following his pattern of using harsh labels for Democratic opponents. PBS NewsHour

Platner has not officially resigned. He said he is "taking the time to reflect on the best path forward." The Guardian

But he faces a deadline. Under Maine law, if Platner wants to drop out and let Democrats pick someone else, he has to do it by 5pm on Monday, July 13, 2026. If he withdraws by then, the Maine Democratic Party has until 5pm on Monday, July 27, to choose a replacement for the November election. The Guardian

That gives Democrats about a week to make a difficult choice. If they pick a new candidate late, that person will have very little time to get known by voters and raise money before the November election. Susan Collins, the Republican they would face, has been a senator for five terms and has strong support across Maine. Whether a last-minute replacement could win—or even come close—depends on whether Democrats can find someone who matches the energy and grassroots support that made Platner's campaign so successful.