Bernie Sanders Still Backs Graham Platner Amid Controversies

The United States Senator from Vermont is standing by his endorsement of the Maine Senate candidate despite recent controversies.

Graham Platner is just one of several candidates in the crowded U.S. Senate race, with the primary set for June 9th, 2026, and the general election scheduled for November 3rd, 2026.

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Platner officially announced his campaign for the Democratic nomination to run against Senator Susan Collins on August 19th, 2025, just days after releasing a launch video.

By August 30th, Senator Bernie Sanders had endorsed Platner ahead of a stop in Portland alongside Maine gubernatorial candidate Troy Jackson.

Read More: Graham Platner Explains Old 'Communist' Reddit Comments 

Sanders defended Platner on Tuesday, October 21st, saying he was more concerned about the lives of tens of thousands of Americans than old online posts that have resurfaced.

According to The Independent, Democrats are now concerned as Platner, the oysterman running to challenge Senator Susan Collins for her seat, faces backlash over inflammatory Reddit posts and a tattoo that critics say resembles Nazi ink.

Sanders defended his endorsement after being pressed about the candidate’s past comments on sexual assault, firing back with, ‘Have you served four tours of duty?’

Reports from CNN and The Washington Post revealed Platner once used Reddit to post inflammatory remarks about race, gender, and police, though he has since apologized, saying the comments came during a difficult period after returning from military service.

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And there you have it! Despite the latest news cycle, Bernie Sanders is still backing Graham Platner in his Senate campaign.

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