Succession fight under way as Bernie Sanders calls for Platner to drop out of Maine Senate race – US politics live

Bernie Sanders on Tuesday called for Maine Democratic Senate nominee Graham Platner to withdraw following sexual assault allegations reported by Politico and the Washington Post. Platner has denied the claims, including an allegation by former partner Jenny Racicot that he forced her to have sex five years ago. Democratic Party officials said they are developing a process to select a replacement nominee if Platner steps down.