Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) stood by his prior endorsement of former Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner on Sunday.
In an interview with CBS News’s Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan, Sanders was confronted over his past endorsement of Platner, who dropped out of the race after being accused of rape by a former girlfriend. When asked if he regretted his endorsement or not acting earlier, Sanders said he didn’t.
“No, I don’t think so,” he answered. “When we heard the serious allegations made against him. I wanted to get on the phone. I wanted to talk to him.”
“I asked, along with virtually all his supporters, that he should get out of the race — that he did,” he added.
When pressed on whether the other candidates he’s endorsed had been fully vetted, he said he didn’t know.
“All I know is, Margaret, the candidates that we are supporting are standing up for the working class of this country,” Sanders said.
The progressive heavyweight then voiced optimism that Platner’s replacement on the Democratic ticket, Troy Jackson, stood a good chance of winning against incumbent Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME).
“I think he stands an excellent chance to win,” he said.
“I’ve known Troy for many years. What he understands is that the people of Maine are sick and tired of a rigged economy in which the billionaire class is getting richer and richer, where we have more income and wealth inequality today than we’ve ever had in the history of this country, while 60% of our people, including in Maine, Vermont, all over this country, are living paycheck to paycheck,” Sanders added.
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The Vermont senator also noted progressive primary candidates Abdul el Sayed in Michigan and Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan in Minnesota, voicing hope that they would win as well.
Sanders has been at the forefront of the leftward insurgency within the Democratic Party, with his endorsements usually attached to upset victories achieved by Democratic Socialists of America-backed candidates against their establishment foes.