Bernie Sanders has endorsed multiple candidates across the 2026 election cycle who faced serious allegations and scandals, raising questions about the Vermont senator’s vetting process.
Sanders’ endorsements this cycle have included candidates with documented histories of disturbing behavior and controversial backgrounds. The pattern has drawn scrutiny from fellow Democrats and observers tracking the senator’s political influence.
The Endorsements
Graham Platner received Sanders’ backing for a House race despite facing a Nazi tattoo, domestic abuse allegations, and sexual assault claims. 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. Blouin finished with 24% of the vote compared to his opponent’s 60%.
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.
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, and billionaire Tom Steyer spent $215 million of his own money on a California gubernatorial race while Sanders had long criticized billionaire political spending.
Democratic Response
Democratic Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania publicly criticized the endorsement pattern. “I don’t know why you want to keep pushing these kinds of people,” Fetterman said, suggesting Sanders reconsider his approach.
The endorsements have created tension within Democratic Party circles over Sanders’ influence on candidate selection and the party’s direction heading into 2026.