Warren, Khanna and Jackson withdraw endorsements
High-profile supporters of Graham Platner have withdrawn their endorsements.
That included one of his most steadfast supporters, former Maine Senate President Troy Jackson, who finished third in last month’s gubernatorial primary and is already been floated in some circles as a possible replacement for Platner as the Senate nominee.
“There is no place in our politics for sexual violence. Not in our party, not in any party. Graham Platner must withdraw from this race today,” Jackson said in a statement released Monday by a spokesperson.
U.S. Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif. — who had campaigned with Platner and defended him after previous reports of alleged mistreatment of women — also called on Platner to drop out and suggested Jackson could be the right candidate to replace him on the ballot.
“I’ve been very clear that sexual assault or violence against women is a red line,” Khanna said on X. “These allegations are very serious and credible. Graham Platner should drop out from the race. I am withdrawing my endorsement.”
U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, a Massachusetts Democrat and progressive stalwart, told the digital news website Semafor that she, too, had seen enough.
“Now more than ever we need leaders in Washington who reflect our values. There can be no tolerance for sexual assault,” Warren told Semafor. “Working families are counting on Democrats to win the Senate election in Maine to unrig our economy and hold Donald Trump accountable. With so much at stake, the best path forward is for Graham Platner to step aside as the Democratic nominee and address these serious allegations outside this Senate race.”
Other prominent Democrats calling for Platner to withdraw include Hannah Pingree, the Democratic nominee for governor; Mattie Daughtry, the Maine Senate president; and Ryan Fecteau, the state House speakre.
One prominent supporter of Platner who has not yet spoken about Monday’s allegations is U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, the progressive independent from Vermont who was an early and vocal backer of Platner. He did not respond to a request for comment Monday on Politico’s story and on whether he continues to support him.