US Senator Bernie Sanders is facing criticism over his endorsement of Graham Platner, a Maine Democratic Senate candidate who withdrew after a report alleged he had raped his then-girlfriend in 2021. Sanders, an independent from Vermont who had been one of Platner's most vocal backers, called for the candidate to step aside within 24 hours of the report, joining many Democratic colleagues. The episode has prompted some Democrats to question Sanders' judgement and continued influence within the party.

Sanders has endorsed more than 70 candidates this cycle, and critics argue the Platner affair reflects a broader pattern of backing under-vetted contenders with problematic histories. The report on Platner was published by Politico on the Monday before his withdrawal. Critics cited include former Biden aide Michael LaRosa, who labelled Platner a "big phony" and said Democrats had squandered a chance to win the seat, while commentator Rachel Bade suggested the party is tallying up other cases where Sanders "bet wrong". The article also points to Sanders' endorsement of Adam Hamawy, who it says has past ties to a man convicted of seditious conspiracy linked to the 1993 World Trade Center bombing.