Sanders, one of Platner’s earliest and most influential supporters, is the latest to call on him to withdraw from race in Maine The progressive senator Bernie Sanders has called on Graham Platner to withdraw from the US Senate race in Maine, citing “very serious allegations” of sexual assault. While Platner has denied the claim, first reported by Politico, a growing list of Democrats have urged him to stand aside as the party’s candidate. He has said he is “taking the time to reflect on the best path forward” in the wake of the story.