WASHINGTON (AP) 鈥� 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 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 鈥済ossip鈥� and said 鈥渂eing married is hard.鈥�
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.
鈥淧eople 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,鈥� Sanders said.
Pressed later by reporters on whether he still backed Platner, Sanders was unequivocal.
鈥淥f course,鈥� he said. 鈥淲hy would I not?鈥�
The independent senator added that he was scheduled to meet with Platner while he’s in Washington this week and feels the nation should 鈥渇ocus on issues more important than the Platner marriage.鈥�
During the Washington trip, which a campaign official said has been in the works for weeks, Platner is expected to meet with other senators and attend a fundraiser co-hosted by Ron Klain, the former chief of staff to President Joe Biden.
Democratic senators returned from a 10-day recess to a barrage of questions about Platner. Many who have previously backed him stood by their support, while others avoided weighing in. California Sen. Adam Schiff said he would need to 鈥渇ollow up to find out the scoop on that before鈥� he could comment.
Platner is seeking the Democratic nomination for one of the most closely watched Senate races in the country as Democrats hope to defeat longtime Republican Sen. Susan Collins and regain control of the chamber. The Maine primary is June 9, and Platner’s primary rival for the nomination, Maine Gov. Janet Mills, in April.
Platner is scheduled to appear in Bar Harbor Friday evening with progressive Rep. Ro Khanna of California and a pair of Democratic Maine candidates. It鈥檚 billed as a 鈥済et out the vote鈥� rally and it鈥檚 taking place at a historic theater in the coastal resort town.
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Whittle reported from Portland, Maine. Associated Press reporter Mary Clare Jalonick in Washington contributed to this report.
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