Bernie Sanders: I Told Platner to Quit

Graham Platner just lost the man who was arguably his most important supporter: Sen. Bernie Sanders called on the Democrat to withdraw from the Senate race in Maine on Tuesday, reports the Hill. Sanders had stuck by his progressive ally through earlier accusations of impropriety, but a new allegation of sexual assault was too much. "I have spoken with Graham Platner about the best path forward for Maine," Sanders said in a statement. "In light of these very serious allegations, I have recommended that he step aside."

Sanders joins a long list of national and state Democrats calling on Platner to quit. Earlier Tuesday, another prominent progressive, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, did so as well, per Politico. Democrats can replace Platner on the November ballot with a new candidate provided he drops out by Monday. The race to flip the seat held by GOP Sen. Susan Collins is crucial to Democratic hopes of regaining the Senate. Here's a look at how things might shake out.