Former Democratic Senate nominee Graham Platner has been removed from the speaker list for an upcoming Labor Day rally, marking his first major public appearance since withdrawing from the race against Republican Sen. Susan Collins of Maine.
Platner, who secured the nomination in June but dropped out in July following media reports detailing allegations of sexual assault by a former girlfriend, was scheduled to speak at the rally in Ellsworth. He has denied the accusations.
Organizers cited negative media attention and safety concerns as reasons for the change. Carol Leonard of Hancock County Activists, a progressive group organizing the event, stated, "The media frenzy got just too insane, and we became concerned about safety." Platner will now lead a veterans' march following the rally.
Platner, an oyster farmer and combat veteran, had focused his campaign on working-class issues such as housing and healthcare costs. His campaign was previously marked by other controversies, including reports of sexually explicit text messages exchanged with women while married, and a tattoo that bore resemblance to a Nazi symbol, which he stated he did not recognize until mid-campaign.
Following Platner's withdrawal, Democrats selected former Maine Senate President Troy Jackson to run against Collins. Jackson, who had previously campaigned with Platner, has since distanced himself from him after the sexual assault allegations surfaced.
The Ellsworth rally is scheduled for midday and will feature speakers, live music, and the veterans' march.