Sen. Bernie Sanders stated he has no regrets about his initial endorsement of Graham Platner, despite a series of scandals that ultimately led to Platner's withdrawal from the Maine Senate race. Sanders maintained his position in an interview on CBS News' “Face the Nation” on Sunday, asserting that he stood by Platner during revelations of unsavory social media posts, infidelity, a Nazi symbol tattoo, and multiple accusations of sexual misconduct.
Sanders frequently framed Platner as a working-class champion and attributed the negative attention to outside funding aimed against him. However, following a Politico report detailing rape accusations from Jenny Racicot, Sanders called for Platner to exit the race. "When we heard the serious allegations made against him, I wanted to get on the phone," Sanders said. "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."
Democrats have since nominated former Maine Senate President Troy Jackson to challenge incumbent Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine). Sanders, who had previously backed Jackson in the Democratic primary for governor, expressed confidence in his chances.
"I’ve known Troy for many years," Sanders commented. "What he understands is that the people of Maine are sick and tired of a rigged economy, in which the billionaire class is getting richer and richer, where we have more income and wealth inequality today than we’ve ever had in the history of this country."
When questioned about the vetting process for candidates he endorses, including Jackson and Michigan Senate hopeful Abdul El-Sayed, Sanders acknowledged potential shortcomings. "There are hundreds of candidates. I don’t know who has been 'fully vetted,'" he replied. "The candidates that we are supporting are standing up for the working class of this country. I and other progressives… are generating enormous grassroots excitement and enthusiasm."