Former Maine Democratic Senate nominee Graham Platner is scheduled to speak at a Labor Day event in Ellsworth, Maine, on Sept. 7, weeks after he suspended his campaign following sexual assault allegations. The planned appearance has drawn criticism from women who previously accused him of misconduct.
Platner ended his bid for the U.S. Senate last month after Politico reported on allegations from an ex-partner who accused him of entering her home uninvited and assaulting her in 2021. Additional women who had previously dated Platner also came forward with allegations, which he denied.
The event, titled “Labor Day Rally for Labor,” is listed on the Hancock County Democrats website. A spokesperson for the group stated they were made aware of Platner’s planned speech and shared it to inform the public but had no further details. The Hancock County Democrats have since removed references to Platner from the event listing and deleted social media posts advertising his presence.
Jenny Racicot and Lyndsey Fifield, two women who spoke to The New York Times about dating Platner, issued a statement calling the Labor Day event “a slap in the face.” They added, “While Graham’s behavior is disappointing, it’s hardly surprising. What is surprising is that there are people who are still willing to give him a platform despite his refusal to take any accountability for his actions.”
Cheyenne Hunt, executive director of national advocacy group Reckoning Action, described Platner’s scheduled speech as “disgusting and deeply damaging” on X, formerly Twitter. Hunt also stated that Platner is reportedly reaching out to local organizers and attacking the credibility of the survivors who exposed him, adding that "platforming him does nothing but hurt the party and our chances of defeating Susan Collins."
Platner's campaign for Senate ended after revelations earlier in the year that he had a Nazi symbol tattooed on his chest, which he later covered and apologized for. He also apologized for past comments made on Reddit that suggested victims of sexual assault should not over-consume alcohol and called those who believed the military covered up rape "idiots."
Following Platner's withdrawal, Maine Democrats held a special convention and nominated former state Senator Troy Jackson as their new Senate nominee. Jackson is set to challenge incumbent Republican Sen. Susan Collins in a race considered crucial for Democrats seeking to regain control of the Senate.