Like this article? Keep independent journalism alive. Support HuffPost.

Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) were among the progressives who indicated Monday they’re standing by Graham Platner, Maine’s Democratic frontrunner for Senate, following reports that he sent sexually explicit messages to women outside his marriage.

“I think it’s important for us to focus on the issues facing working families a little bit more than Graham Platner’s marriage,” Sanders told reporters.

Platner, whose campaign has been rocked by multiple scandals, is running to unseat Sen. Susan Collins in a key race for Democrats to take back control of the Senate.

“People can’t afford healthcare,” Sanders also told The Associated Press on Monday. “Can’t afford groceries. Can’t afford to put gas in their cars. And I think it might be a good idea if we focused on the important issues facing the working families of Maine and this country.”

Also in the news: Trump Vents About Judge Who Blocked Kennedy Center Renovation, Fuming Over His Legal Setbacks

Warren, when asked by reporters if she was concerned about the reports, brushed off the question and said she’s concerned about the “price of gasoline.”

And Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.), another progressive who’s endorsed Platner, announced a rally planned with him for Friday.

Sen. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), who skews more moderate, also defended Platner in an interview with NBC News.

“At the end of the day, this man has had 60 more town halls than Susan Collins has,” he said. “He’s winning the polls, he’s willing to accept that he has grown as a person, and I think we should accept that.”

Maine Gov. Janet Mills (D) suspended her campaign for Senate in April, citing a lack of financial resources to take on Platner. But in an interview with the Portland Press Herald on Monday, Mills reminded voters that she’s “still on the ballot.”

Platner, an oyster farmer, previously faced criticism for resurfaced social media posts in which he made offensive comments about women and dismissed cases of ****** assault and rape in the military. He has since apologized for the posts and said they were the result of his struggle with PTSD and depression after leaving the Army in 2012. He also recently covered up a skull and crossbones tattoo that resembled a Nazi symbol, saying he was not aware of its associations when he got it.

Political UpdatesThis article originally appeared on HuffPost. Support fearless, unflinching journalism that holds power accountable and relentlessly pursues the truth. Become a HuffPost member today.