ME-SEN: Sanders wades into one of Democrats' best Senate pickup opportunities

[RandySF]

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) on Saturday endorsed political newcomer Graham Platner’s Maine Senate bid, amid Democratic leadership’s push to recruit Gov. Janet Mills to run against GOP Sen. Susan Collins.

“Graham is a Marine and Army National Guard veteran, an oyster farmer, and a proud member of America’s working class. He’s a Mainer through and through, and he is building a movement strong enough to take on the oligarchy that is making Maine unaffordable for all except a privileged few,” Sanders wrote in his announcement, adding that “we need senators in Washington who are prepared to take on the billionaire class and fight for working people.”

Sanders is also set to host a rally on Monday with Platner and former state Senate President Troy Jackson, whom Sanders endorsed for governor earlier this year.

Platner, a 40-year-old oysterman and veteran with no prior political experience, launched his bid to challenge Collins earlier this month, throwing a potential wrench in Democrats’ plan to recruit and rally behind Mills in the race.



https://www.politico.com/news/2025/08/30/bernie-sanders-endorsement-maine-graham-platner-00538084

[W_HAMILTON]

1. "...with no prior political experience..."

Oh, lovely.

I was hoping that we progressives would start vetting our candidates better after we got torched by Sinema, Fetterman, etc., but I guess that was too much to ask...