Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) said he does not regret his early support for Graham Platner, who withdrew from Maine's U.S. Senate race last week following rape and sexual harassment allegations that he denies.
Platner suspended his campaign on July 8 after Democrats mounted a pressure campaign to force him out of the race. CBS anchor Margaret Brennan pressed Sanders during an interview over whether he should have acted sooner given what Republicans describe as warning signs about Platner's candidacy.
"You were an early supporter in Maine of Graham Platner. You helped him rise. Do you regret not acting earlier to call for him to drop out, given the warning signs?" Brennan asked.
Sanders replied: "No, I don't think so. When we heard the serious allegations made against him, I wanted to get on the phone. I wanted to talk to him. I did. I asked, along with virtually all his supporters, that he should get out of the race, and he did."
What the Left Is Saying
Sanders' defenders argue the senator acted appropriately once allegations became public by immediately calling for Platner to exit the race. Maine Democrats on Saturday selected Troy Jackson as their replacement nominee through a vote of the Maine Democratic State Committee.
Maine Democrats' Executive Director Devon Murphy-Anderson defended the process, saying: "Democracy, while sometimes really messy, is always, always worth fighting for ... doing what is right is what us Maine Democrats will choose every damn time."
Progressive allies note that Platner denies the allegations and argue Sanders responded consistently with how he would handle any serious misconduct accusation — waiting for facts before making judgments.
What the Right Is Saying
Republicans have seized on the episode to criticize Democratic Party leadership. The RNC Research account posted video of Sanders' CBS exchange, highlighting his refusal to express regret.
Kristen Cianci, the Republican Party's New England communications director, criticized Maine Democrats' replacement process on X: "History is repeating itself in Maine. Troy Jackson will be crowned by @MaineDems this weekend without a single vote being cast. Just like Kamala, voters will reject him when they finally get their say in November."
Critics note that Sanders-aligned operatives recruited Platner after their initial candidate choice was found to have what one source described as a "skeleton" in his closet, and argue the episode reflects poor vetting by progressive groups.
What the Numbers Show
Platner's campaign lasted approximately one month from launch to suspension. He had not yet appeared on any major public polling before withdrawing.
Maine's U.S. Senate seat is held by Republican Sen. Susan Collins, who won re-election in 2024 with approximately 57% of the vote against Democrat Hamas cue. The replacement nominee will face Collins in November.
The Maine Democratic State Committee has approximately 150-200 voting members who selected Jackson — no primary votes were cast for either Platner or his replacement.
The Bottom Line
Sanders' defense of his actions underscores ongoing tensions between progressive groups and the broader Democratic establishment over candidate recruitment and vetting. Republicans are likely to use both episodes — Platner's withdrawal and Jackson's coronation — against Maine Democrats heading into November. What happens next: Collins faces a new opponent in a state that has not elected a Democrat to the Senate since 2012.