Bernie Sanders Reaffirms His Endorsement of Beleaguered Candidate
Sen. Bernie Sanders is standing firmly behind Maine Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner despite a string of controversies that have transformed what was once viewed as an underdog campaign into one of the most closely scrutinized races of the 2026 cycle.
In recent weeks, Platner has found himself at the center of multiple damaging stories, including renewed attention on a tattoo linked to Nazi-era symbolism, resurfaced social media posts, a sexting controversy, and reports concerning an account on the messaging platform Kik. Yet Sanders, one of Platner’s most influential supporters, argues that the attacks are politically motivated and tied to the candidate’s populist economic message.
“What we're looking at right now is a situation where billionaires have already pledged to spend $90 million in a tiny state like Maine,” Sanders said. “Trust me, that is a lot of money. They don't want him in.”
According to Sanders, opposition to Platner stems from his positions on economic issues rather than the controversies that have dominated headlines.
“And the reason that they do not want him in the Senate is he has had the guts to stand up to the big money interests, to fight for healthcare as a human right, to demand the billionaires start paying their fair share of taxes,” Sanders added.
The controversies surrounding Platner began gaining widespread attention after footage surfaced showing what critics identified as a Totenkopf, or “death’s head,” tattoo on his chest. The symbol has historical associations with Nazi military units during World War II. Since then, additional issues have emerged, including old Reddit posts discussing veterans and sexual assault, allegations involving sexually explicit messages, and questions surrounding his use of Kik.
Despite the growing list of political liabilities, Democratic supporters remain focused on the larger goal of defeating Republican Sen. Susan Collins, who is seeking another term.
“I think what we, as a nation, need to do is to focus on the important issues facing working families, 60% of whom are living paycheck to paycheck,” Sanders said. “And I think that Graham and his wife, Amy, will work on their marriage, and I wish them the best.”
Platner’s rise to frontrunner status accelerated after Maine Gov. Janet Mills suspended her campaign earlier in the cycle, leaving him as the presumptive Democratic nominee heading toward a likely November showdown with Collins.
Collins, for her part, offered a brief but pointed response when asked about the latest developments.
“I don’t have anything to add,” she said. “Every day there's a new revelation about Graham Platner that reflects on his character.”
Not all Democrats appear eager to abandon Platner despite the controversies. Sen. Ruben Gallego of Arizona, an early supporter, suggested voters would ultimately decide whether the issues matter.
“He's lived a very, you know, real experience. He's talked about it,” Gallego said. “He's talked to his wife about it. There was, you know, the voters of Maine are gonna decide what they're gonna do, but, you know, we know that at this point, this man can still win the race, and as long as he continues, I think we'll all be there.”
Platner is expected to meet with Senate Democrats in Washington this week, with Sanders indicating he plans to attend.
Meanwhile, Republicans are increasingly framing Platner as a deeply flawed nominee whose controversies could become a major liability for Democrats in a competitive race.
“I mean, this guy's a nut job,” Sen. Eric Schmitt, R-Mo., said. “So, that's their call. But, you know, I won't hold my breath for the Democrats to sort of course correct on this.”
With the primary approaching and new questions continuing to emerge, Platner’s candidacy remains one of the most volatile stories in American politics. Whether Democratic voters remain focused on his policy platform or become increasingly concerned about the growing list of controversies could determine not only the party’s nominee, but the shape of one of the Senate’s most closely watched races.