Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders has issued a statement following fresh allegations that Democratic Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner sexually assaulted a former romantic partner.Sanders' campaign issued a brief statement on Tuesday, saying:"I have spoken with Graham Platner about the best path forward for Maine. In light of these very serious allegations, I have recommended that he step aside."Platner said he's currently "considering next steps" as he faces pressure to end his campaign for Maine's Senate seat over the allegations.Prominent Democrats speak out on Platner accusationsOther Democrats have also pulled endorsements following the allegations. New Hampshire Sen. Jeanne Shaheen told Platner to drop out of the race altogether.Vermont Congresswoman Becca Balint also issued a statement on her social media platforms on Tuesday, saying in part: "The allegations against Graham Platner are deeply disturbing and deserve to be taken seriously. He should step aside."On Tuesday afternoon, Vermont Sen. Peter Welch said Platner needs to end his campaign."Voters need to be able to trust their candidates. The new allegations against Graham Platner are deeply troubling and must be taken seriously. He has lost the trust of Mainers. He should end his campaign."Platner won the Democratic nomination last month, and is set to face off against incumbent Republican Sen. Collins, who has held the seat for nearly three decades.Sanders has been an outspoken supporter of Platner in his run for U.S. Senate. Last month, Sanders said that he was standing by Platner in the wake of media reports that the Maine Senate candidate previously exchanged sexually explicit text messages with several women while he was married.Politico reported Monday that the woman, a 41-year-old Maine resident, detailed the sexual assault allegations in three exclusive interviews that were conducted over the past two weeks.According to Politico, the woman said she had an on-and-off relationship with Platner for more than two years before he entered her home uninvited one night in late 2021. The woman claimed Platner was deeply intoxicated and forced himself on her while she repeatedly told him to stop. She said she cut off contact with him after telling him the encounter was not consensual."I remember him grabbing my pelvis and being really forceful of me," the woman told Politico. "I remember the specific moment where I thought to myself, like, 'This is no longer my choice.'"Politico also said they spoke with another man the woman dated and had confided in years after the alleged incident. The publication also said it reviewed a number of documents, including emails between the woman and her therapist and messages between the woman and an acquaintance whom she warned against getting involved with Platner years before he ran for office.In a statement to sister station WMTW, Platner said: "These allegations are troubling, serious, and false. Any accusation of non-consensual behavior is categorically untrue."Platner then reiterated those sentiments in a video he shared on his campaign's social media pages.Editor's note: Sister station WMTW in Portland, Maine contributed to this article along with The Associated Press.

BURLINGTON, Vt. —

Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders has issued a statement following fresh allegations that Democratic Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner sexually assaulted a former romantic partner.

Sanders' campaign issued a brief statement on Tuesday, saying:

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"I have spoken with Graham Platner about the best path forward for Maine. In light of these very serious allegations, I have recommended that he step aside."

Platner said he's currently "considering next steps" as he faces pressure to end his campaign for Maine's Senate seat over the allegations.

Prominent Democrats speak out on Platner accusations

Other Democrats have also pulled endorsements following the allegations. New Hampshire Sen. Jeanne Shaheen told Platner to drop out of the race altogether.

Vermont Congresswoman Becca Balint also issued a statement on her social media platforms on Tuesday, saying in part: "The allegations against Graham Platner are deeply disturbing and deserve to be taken seriously. He should step aside."

On Tuesday afternoon, Vermont Sen. Peter Welch said Platner needs to end his campaign.

"Voters need to be able to trust their candidates. The new allegations against Graham Platner are deeply troubling and must be taken seriously. He has lost the trust of Mainers. He should end his campaign."

Platner won the Democratic nomination last month, and is set to face off against incumbent Republican Sen. Collins, who has held the seat for nearly three decades.

Sanders has been an outspoken supporter of Platner in his run for U.S. Senate. Last month, Sanders said that he was standing by Platner in the wake of media reports that the Maine Senate candidate previously exchanged sexually explicit text messages with several women while he was married.

Politico reported Monday that the woman, a 41-year-old Maine resident, detailed the sexual assault allegations in three exclusive interviews that were conducted over the past two weeks.

According to Politico, the woman said she had an on-and-off relationship with Platner for more than two years before he entered her home uninvited one night in late 2021. The woman claimed Platner was deeply intoxicated and forced himself on her while she repeatedly told him to stop. She said she cut off contact with him after telling him the encounter was not consensual.

"I remember him grabbing my pelvis and being really forceful of me," the woman told Politico. "I remember the specific moment where I thought to myself, like, 'This is no longer my choice.'"

Politico also said they spoke with another man the woman dated and had confided in years after the alleged incident. The publication also said it reviewed a number of documents, including emails between the woman and her therapist and messages between the woman and an acquaintance whom she warned against getting involved with Platner years before he ran for office.

In a statement to sister station WMTW, Platner said: "These allegations are troubling, serious, and false. Any accusation of non-consensual behavior is categorically untrue."

Platner then reiterated those sentiments in a video he shared on his campaign's social media pages.

Editor's note: Sister station WMTW in Portland, Maine contributed to this article along with The Associated Press.