SouthernWorldwide.com – Senator Bernie Sanders has stated that he will not withdraw his endorsement of Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner, despite recent reports alleging that Platner exchanged explicit text messages with several women shortly after his marriage two years ago.
Platner’s campaign has acknowledged the existence of these text exchanges. This confirmation followed a report by The Wall Street Journal, which stated that Platner’s wife, Amy Gertner, informed a campaign aide about the messages. Gertner reportedly discovered these messages months after their wedding in 2024, as the campaign began to assess potential political vulnerabilities.
“Sixty percent of our people are living paycheck to paycheck. People can’t afford healthcare. They can’t afford groceries. They can’t afford to fill up their gas tanks,” Sanders told an MS Now reporter on Monday. He further elaborated on the significant financial resources the opposition is expected to deploy, stating, “The oligarchs are planning to spend, I believe, some $90 million in a small state like Maine to defeat Graham Platner.”
Sanders suggested a shift in focus, arguing, “So I think maybe we should be focusing on the important issues facing working people throughout this country, not focusing on his marriage.”
When directly asked if he was reconsidering his endorsement of Platner, Sanders’ response was unequivocal: “Certainly not.”
Further emphasizing his stance, Sanders added, “And my understanding is that his wife, Amy, who I’ve met, indicated they love each other. But maybe we focus on the issues facing the American people, the people of Maine, and not the marriage issues facing Graham Platner.”
On the same day, when pressed by reporters about his continued support for Platner, Sanders affirmed, “Of course,” and questioned, “Why would I not?” according to The Associated Press.
Graham Platner’s wife, Amy Gertner, publicly defended her husband’s Senate campaign on Saturday.
“So it makes me really angry, disappointed, and I find it really shameful that there’s a group of media outlets and people who are willing to spread gossip, instead of talking about real issues that Graham is running on — like healthcare and education and childcare,” Gertner stated in a video shared on X.
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She further elaborated on the personal challenges the couple has faced, saying, “Being newly married is hard. Being newly married and going through infertility is hard. Being newly married, going through infertility, and a Senate campaign is hard.”
