Graham Platner, who previously sought the Democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate in Maine, is no longer scheduled to speak at a Labor Day rally in Ellsworth. This marks Platner's first major public appearance since he withdrew from the Senate race in July.
Platner had been slated to address the rally, organized by Hancock County Activists, on topics of labor history and the importance of unions. However, organizers announced Wednesday that his planned speech was canceled due to negative media attention and concerns for safety. Carol Leonard of Hancock County Activists stated that the "media frenzy got just too insane." Instead of speaking, Platner is now expected to lead a veterans' march following the rally.
The allegations against Platner surfaced in July when a former girlfriend accused him of sexual assault. Platner has denied these allegations. The rally organizers were reportedly urged not to let him speak by the former girlfriend and another woman who has accused him of domestic abuse.
Platner, an oyster farmer and combat veteran, secured the Democratic nomination in June. His campaign focused on working-class issues such as housing and healthcare costs. His campaign faced several controversies prior to his withdrawal, including reports of sexually explicit text messages exchanged with women while he was married, and the discovery of a tattoo identified as a Nazi symbol, which he stated he did not recognize as such until later in the campaign. He also issued an apology for past online comments containing offensive language about women, police, and rural residents.
Following Platner's withdrawal, Democrats held a convention in July and selected former Maine Senate President Troy Jackson to run against Republican Sen. Susan Collins. Jackson had previously campaigned with Platner but has since distanced himself from him.