Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., on Tuesday said party officials who support embattled Maine Senate nominee Graham Platner despite a string of controversies should have no role in choosing a replacement if Platner withdraws from the race.

Fetterman, speaking on CBS News' "The Takeout with Major Garrett," said Democrats who elevated Platner should step aside from the process of selecting a new nominee.

"Many of these people that put someone like Platner in this seat right now, sit it out," Fetterman said.

Fetterman directed his criticism at Democrats who stood by Platner after multiple controversies emerged during his campaign, including resurfaced inflammatory online comments, Platner's acknowledgment that he once had a tattoo widely associated with a Nazi emblem, allegations involving sexually explicit text messages and accusations of troubling behavior toward women.

The controversy intensified after former girlfriend Jenny Racicot told Politico and CNN that Platner sexually assaulted her in 2021.

Platner has denied the allegation.

The accusation prompted a growing number of Democratic leaders to abandon the nominee, including Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., who had been one of Platner's most prominent early supporters.

Sanders said Tuesday he had spoken with Platner "about the best path forward for Maine" and "recommended that he step aside."

Fetterman questioned how Democrat leaders continued backing Platner despite the mounting controversies.

"How have we arrived here?" Fetterman said. "That I think is an important thing to explore and the people that really made that possible … hold them accountable too."

He singled out Sanders for helping launch Platner's political career, claiming that Sanders put Platner on the national political map "more than anyone."

Fetterman has also publicly criticized Sanders in recent days over his handling of the controversy. In an interview with Fox News on Monday, Fetterman said Sanders should "apologize to the victims."

The turmoil has thrown one of the country's highest-profile Senate races into uncertainty just months before the general election.

Republican Sen. Susan Collins is seeking another term in a race Democrats have viewed as one of their best pickup opportunities as they try to regain control of the Senate.

Under Maine law, Platner has until July 13 to withdraw from the race. If he does, the Maine Democratic Party has until July 27 to name a replacement nominee for the November ballot.

Party officials have also said Platner would have no role in selecting a successor if he steps aside, although the process has already become a source of internal disagreement as potential replacements begin to emerge.

Possible replacement candidates reportedly include former Maine Senate President Troy Jackson, former Maine CDC Director Nirav Shah and Secretary of State Shenna Bellows, among others, though no formal selection process has been completed.

Platner has not announced whether he will remain in the race, saying only that he is reflecting on his next steps while continuing to deny the sexual assault allegation.