Top Democrats press Maine Senate candidate to drop out of race over sexual assault allegation

"Regardless of the inaccuracy of the reporting, but mindful of the political reality it will inflict, we are taking the time to reflect on the best path forward for the state that I love, the people that I love, the movement I belong to and the goal of defeating Susan Collins," Platner said in a video statement on social media shortly after the story was published by Politico.Prominent Democrats in the Senate, along with Maine's Democratic party, have called on Platner to "immediately withdraw".Senator Bernie Sanders, one of Platner's biggest backers who stood by him after earlier controversies, said he had spoken with Platner about the "best path forward for Maine". "In light of these very serious allegations, I have recommended that he step aside," Sanders said. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand said in a statement: "The allegations reported today are incredibly disturbing – violence, abuse and sexual assault are absolutely unacceptable."The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee - which provides millions of dollars in support to the party's candidates - "will not invest in the Maine Senate race if Platner remains on the ballot", they added.The list of Democrats calling on him to drop out grew on Tuesday, to include Senators Elizabeth Warren, Cory Booker, Elissa Slotkin, while three supporters in the party withdrew their endorsements - congressman Ro Khanna and Senators Martin Heinrich and Ruben Gallego.New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani joined the calls, saying it was "time for him to drop out of the race".