Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders has backed multiple 2026 candidates facing serious allegations, prompting questions about his vetting process and influence within the Democratic Party.
Sanders’ endorsements this cycle have included candidates with documented histories of misconduct and controversial backgrounds. The pattern has drawn scrutiny from fellow Democrats and political observers tracking the senator’s political influence across races nationwide.
The Endorsements Under Question
Graham Platner received Sanders’ backing for a House race despite facing allegations including a Nazi tattoo, domestic abuse claims, and sexual assault accusations. Sanders attended Platner’s campaign events and continued advocating for him on social media through multiple scandals.
In Utah, Sanders endorsed Nate Blouin for a House seat, calling him “a fighter.” Reddit posts later surfaced featuring crude jokes, racial slurs, and offensive language, prompting Salt Lake City’s mayor to urge Blouin to withdraw from the race.
Adam Hamawy, a Sanders-adjacent candidate in New Jersey, won his primary despite documented connections to individuals linked to the 1993 World Trade Center bombing. He became the Democratic nominee for a congressional seat in the state.
Other endorsed candidates included Randy Villegas, a school board member who settled abuse claims totaling $14 million, and Melat Kiros, who made controversial claims about 9/11. Peter Chatzky’s campaign ended after old Facebook posts surfaced publicly.
Democratic Party Pushback
Democratic Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania publicly criticized the endorsement pattern, stating “I don’t know why you want to keep pushing these kinds of people,” and suggesting Sanders reconsider his approach to candidate selection.
The endorsements have created tension within Democratic Party circles over Sanders’ influence on candidate selection and the party’s direction heading into 2026.
This story has been updated. CNN’s Political Team contributed to this report.
