Former Democratic Senate nominee Graham Platner will no longer speak at a Labor Day rally in Maine after two ex-partners publicly accused him of sexual assault and domestic abuse. Organizers confirmed Wednesday that Platner, who suspended his Senate campaign in July, was withdrawn from the event’s speaker schedule.
The rally, organized by Hancock County Activists and Acadia Action Peacemakers, was set for Monday in Ellsworth, near Platner’s hometown of Sullivan. Organizers stated the decision followed intense media scrutiny and safety concerns. Platner will instead lead a veterans’ march after the event.
Jenny Racicot and Lyndsey Fifield, both former partners of Platner, had urged organizers to drop him as a speaker. In a joint statement, they said: “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.”
Platner has denied the allegations, stating he is not guilty of rape, sexual assault, or domestic abuse. His Senate campaign ended in July after Politico reported a sexual assault allegation from a former girlfriend. The allegations prompted calls from advocacy groups, including Reckoning Action, for his removal from the event.
Organizers emphasized that the decision was not a legal judgment but a response to public pressure and safety concerns. Carol Leonard of Hancock County Activists said: “The media frenzy got just too insane, and we became concerned about safety.”
Platner, a combat veteran and oyster farmer, had been scheduled to discuss labor history and union advocacy at the rally. His removal reflects broader scrutiny of candidates with contested personal histories in political and activist spaces.