Sen. Bernie Sanders stands by Graham Platner after controversy over sexually explicit texts [View all]
Source: AP
By JOEY CAPPELLETTI and PATRICK WHITTLE
Updated 6:41 PM CDT, June 1, 2026
WASHINGTON (AP) — Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders said Monday that he is standing by Graham Platner in the wake of media reports that the Maine Senate candidate previously exchanged sexually explicit text messages with several women while he was married.
Platner, a Democrat, posted a video over the weekend taken by his wife, Amy Gertner, who reportedly told his campaign of the text messages last year. In the video, Gertner decried coverage of the issue as “gossip” and said “being married is hard.”
Sanders, a critical early backer of Platner, told The Associated Press on Monday that he still supports the oyster farmer and combat veteran, who hopes to unseat veteran Republican Sen. Susan Collins.
“People can’t afford healthcare. Can’t afford groceries. Can’t afford to put gas in their cars. And I think it might be a good idea if we focused on the important issues facing the working families of Maine and this country,” Sanders said.
Graham Platner, Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate, and Sen. Bernie Sanders, left, join hands at an event in Orono, Maine, Sunday, May 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)
Read more: https://apnews.com/article/graham-platner-texting-senate-bernie-sanders-79a0d66fb25f711a9b04d6f655f5ee00
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