Senator Elizabeth Warren withdrew her endorsement of Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner on Sunday, joining a growing chorus of Democrats demanding he exit the race following sexual assault allegations that have thrown the party's hopes of flipping the seat into chaos.

The Massachusetts senator had campaigned alongside Platner and championed his insurgent bid against incumbent Republican Susan Collins. Her reversal marks a stunning collapse of support for a candidate who energized progressives with his populist message.

Allegations Surface at Critical Moment

Politico reported that a Maine woman accused Platner of forcing her to have sex with him nearly five years ago. Platner has denied the allegation but said he would take "time to reflect" on his campaign's path forward. He has cleared his campaign schedule and canceled multiple events as key deadlines approach.

The accusation comes after months of controversy surrounding the Democratic nominee. Previously surfaced Reddit posts tied to Platner included graphic sexual comments, and he faced questions about a chest tattoo identified as a Nazi symbol that he later covered up.

Democrats Face Tough Choice

Senator Bernie Sanders, who also endorsed Platner earlier this year, had not called for him to exit the race as of press time. The Vermont independent's silence stands in contrast to the rapid abandonment by other party figures.

Warren's statement emphasized the political stakes of the moment while calling for accountability. Democrats had viewed the Maine race as one of their best pickup opportunities in the Senate, where Republicans hold a slim majority. Collins, a moderate who has served since 1997, faced her toughest reelection challenge in years before the allegations emerged.

The Boston Globe reported that progressive activists who had rallied behind Platner's grassroots campaign now find themselves torn between supporting the movement he built and acknowledging the severity of the accusations.

Party Weighs Next Steps

Maine Democratic Party officials are reportedly discussing contingency plans should Platner withdraw before the ballot deadline. State law would allow party leaders to select a replacement candidate, potentially reviving a race that appeared lost just days ago.

For now, Platner has made no announcement about his intentions. His campaign did not respond to requests for comment beyond his earlier statement denying the allegations and promising to reflect on his path forward.

Warren's withdrawal of support removes one of his most prominent validators and signals that the national party has given up on salvaging his candidacy. The question now is whether Platner will heed the calls to step aside or attempt to weather the storm.