Sanders Endorses Platner and Jackson in Maine Oligarchy Tour

Bernie Sanders toured Maine over two days, rallying progressive voters and endorsing Democratic candidates Graham Platner for U.S. Senate and Troy Jackson for governor as part of his nationwide "Fighting Oligarchy" tour. Sanders drew approximately 1,400 supporters in Orono on Sunday and over 1,700 in Portland on Monday, where he framed both candidates as transformative figures who would challenge corporate power and economic inequality.

Sanders and the candidates advocated for a 5% annual wealth tax on the 938 U.S. billionaires, Medicare for All, and increased investment in childcare and education. Platner called for a "political revolution" and criticized corporate greed, health insurance executives, and the influence of billionaires on politics. He also condemned U.S. weapons spending in Gaza and Iran, arguing tax dollars should fund domestic schools and hospitals instead. Sanders linked Platner to his legislative proposal on the wealth tax and to efforts preventing tech billionaires from controlling artificial intelligence and robotics. Jackson emphasized solidarity and the need for the Democratic Party to represent the working class.

The endorsements come as Democrats aim to maintain control of the governor's office and flip the Senate seat held by Republican Senator Susan Collins ahead of the June 9 primary. Collins criticized Platner, alleging he made derogatory comments about a wounded American soldier in Afghanistan. The Republican National Committee condemned the rally, characterizing the policy visions of Sanders and Platner as a "radical agenda" of higher taxes and reckless spending.