Sen. Bernie Sanders says Maine U.S. Senate candidate Graham Platner should step aside after a sexual assault allegation. Democrats across the U.S. are withdrawing support from Platner after the allegation, which Platner denies. Platner is considering his next steps and has canceled town hall events this week. The allegation involves a woman who claims Platner assaulted her in 2021. Pressure is mounting for Platner to withdraw, as Maine law has tight deadlines for replacing candidates. Democrats are divided on who should replace Platner. Platner's supporters say they're devastated and waiting for his next statement. Sanders is a Vermont independent who caucuses with Democrats and a longtime Platner supporter.

Restless Democratic voters are rejecting their party's establishment. Six months before Election Day, Democratic voters are embracing change, taking a clear risk by picking less established and more polarizing candidates to represent them on the ballot this fall. In Maine, Gov. Janet Mills has been forced to formally abandon her U.S. Senate campaign, unable to generate sufficient fundraising or enthusiasm to compete in a primary against Graham Platner, an oyster farmer with no political experience. Mills' announcement Thursday marked a stinging defeat for Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer, who recruited her to lead the party's decades-long quest to defeat Republican Sen. Susan Collins.