OAN Staff Katherine Mosack
12:31 PM – Tuesday, July 7, 2026
Figures from across the ideological spectrum within the Democrat Party have called for Graham Platner, nominee for the Senate, to drop out of the race in the wake of new sexual assault allegations, with Independent Senator Bernie Sanders and New York City Democrat Mayor Zohran Mamdani among those joining the calls.
Both self-described “Democratic socialists,” along with Senator John Fetterman (D-Pa.), weighed in on Tuesday after Jenny Racicot, 41, of Maine, alleged in an interview with POLITICO that disgraced oyster farmer Graham Platner, 41, sexually assaulted her. Racicot said the two had an on-and-off romantic relationship after meeting on a dating app in 2019.
“I have spoken with Graham Platner about the best path forward for Maine. In light of these very serious allegations, I have recommended that he step aside,” said Senator Sanders (I-Vt.).
Platner, widely seen as a progressive candidate who calls himself a “New Deal Democrat” and a “working-class Democrat,” was previously endorsed by Sanders. The senator said last month that he would stand by Platner despite media reports of other morally corrupt acts, including exchanging sexually explicit text messages with several women while he was married.
“I believe it’s time for him to drop out of the race,” Mamdani told reporters.
Mamdani shares a progressive strategist, Morris Katz, with Platner.
“I think the only appropriate response is for the campaign to come to an end,” he added.
Representative Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.) also joined the chorus of Democrats pulling support from Platner.
“I am withdrawing my endorsement of Graham Platner and calling on him to exit the race immediately so that he can be replaced by a progressive fighter who will deliver for the people and help win back the Senate,” she stated. “These allegations are devastating and must be taken seriously.”
Fetterman, a Democrat who has rejected the “progressive” label and at times voted with Republicans, criticized both Sanders and Platner while on Fox News’ “The Ingram Angle.”
“I would really call Bernie Sanders to apologize for pushing this kind of predator more than anyone,” Fetterman said, adding that Sanders should “apologize to the victims, especially the woman that — she claimed that he raped her.”
“I don’t know why you want to keep pushing these kinds of people,” he continued. “Maybe he should consider [sitting] a few out and stop pushing these kind of communists.”
He compared the allegations surrounding Platner to another recent Democrat scandal involving former Representative Eric Swalwell, whose reported sexual assault allegations prompted him to withdraw from the California gubernatorial race and resign from Congress.
“I know Democrats that have, you know, back-to-back endorsed and got all in on Swalwell and were on the Platner train as well, too,” Fetterman went on. “So, maybe stop, you know, getting [in] bed with absolute dirt bags, someone like Platner.”
Fetterman, who is known for his casual attire on Capitol Hill, previously challenged Platner to release every text exchange with the “dozen women” whom he has messaged online without their consent, saying he would “wear a suit every day” if the Senate candidate complied.
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