Independent Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont says he spoke with Maine Democratic Senate nominee Graham Platner and recommended that Platner step aside from the race. Multiple outlets report that Sanders, a longtime backer, joins a growing group of prominent Democrats calling on Platner to drop out after new sexual assault allegations. The claims include an accusation by a woman that Platner raped her in 2021 while they were dating; Platner denies the allegation. Additional reporting cited by outlets includes a former girlfriend’s account that Platner removed condoms without consent, which Platner also disputes. As the pressure increases, Democrats face questions about how to replace Platner as their nominee and maintain momentum against Republican Sen. Susan Collins. NBC News and other coverage say Elizabeth Warren also joins Sanders and other party figures in releasing statements urging Platner to end his campaign. Separately, one report says the Maine Democratic Party accuses Platner of meddling in processes related to replacing him. Overall, the central development is Sanders’s statement that he advised Platner to withdraw in light of the “very serious allegations,” alongside wider party pressure.