Platner implosion could hurt his socialist supporters in 2028, boost AOC

Democratic Endorsements Shift in Maine Senate Race After Allegations Against Candidate

Three progressive Democrats with ties to the left wing of the party who have been discussed as possible 2028 presidential contenders showed differing responses to allegations against Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner. Two had endorsed him before accusations of sexual assault emerged.

Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Rep. Ro Khanna of California had publicly backed Platner. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York did not endorse. After new allegations surfaced, both Sanders and Khanna withdrew their support and urged Platner to exit the race.

Ocasio-Cortez addressed the matter on June 9, the day of the primary, while Platner faced earlier claims of mistreating women that did not involve sexual assault. She told reporters the contest was “an election for the people of Maine” and that “their results, and the ways that they turn out today, I think, will speak for themselves and their preferences.” She added that “it’s an election that’s up to the people of Maine and the choices that they have before them.”

Khanna had defended Platner after a New York Times report on his past relationships. Appearing on CBS’s Face the Nation, he described the situation as “a case of someone who had a dark chapter in his life, was in toxic relationships, was ashamed about it, who served this country, and the Maine voters are saying, ‘Look, let’s give him some grace, and his focus is stopping these wars, and it’s getting national health insurance, and it’s taking on economic inequality.’”

Khanna continued: “I want to be clear: His actions were misogynistic, they were shameful, they were wrong, but they didn’t come as a surprise to a lot of the folks in Maine. People in Maine knew that he had had two tours of duty in Iraq. He came back broken in a dark place. That doesn’t excuse his behavior, but they knew this. He was in Washington, and then he went back to Maine, and he started an oyster farm. He took accountability. He himself has said it was shameful.”

He set conditions for continued support, stating that evidence of violence or sexual assault would end his backing. He also said attacks on the women who came forward or on journalists should be avoided.

On Monday, Khanna withdrew his endorsement, writing on X that he had been “very clear that sexual assault or violence against women is a red line” and that “these allegations are very serious and credible.” He called on Platner to drop out.

Khanna has collaborated with Rep. Thomas Massie, Republican of Kentucky, on legislation to prevent U.S. involvement in a war with Iran and to release files related to Jeffrey Epstein.

Sanders defended Platner during the earlier controversy involving text messages. Speaking to reporters on Capitol Hill, he said the focus should remain on “a housing crisis. People can’t afford healthcare; they can’t afford groceries; they can’t afford to fill up their gas tanks.” He added that “it’s important for us to focus on the issues facing working families a little bit more than Graham Platner’s marriage” and wished the candidate’s marriage well while emphasizing economic concerns and opposition to “oligarchs.”

Sanders later withdrew support after private discussions. He posted on X that he had “spoken with Graham Platner about the best path forward for Maine” and, “in light of these very serious allegations,” had recommended that Platner step aside.

Ocasio-Cortez had previously drawn criticism for declining to back primary challengers to sitting Democratic incumbents. In the Platner case, she did not issue an endorsement.

Sanders, 84, has indicated he is unlikely to seek the Democratic presidential nomination again. Khanna, 49, and Ocasio-Cortez, 36, are younger.

Maine Senate President Troy Jackson has filed an exploratory bid for the seat.

Most Democrats are expected to move past the Platner matter well before 2028. The race for the Democratic nomination that year remains distant in the current news environment.