Graham Platner removed from Labor Day rally speaker list

Event organizers, including Carol Leonard of Hancock County Activists, stated that the planned speech was attracting negative media attention and raised concerns about safety. As a result, Platner will instead lead a veterans' march following the rally.

Platner, an oyster farmer and combat veteran, ran a campaign focused on working-class issues such as housing and healthcare costs. His campaign was previously marked by other controversies, including reports of exchanging sexually explicit text messages while married and the appearance of a tattoo recognized as a Nazi symbol, for which he later apologized. High-profile backers, including Sen. Bernie Sanders, initially stood by him, but support waned after the sexual assault allegations emerged.

Following Platner's withdrawal, Democrats nominated former Maine Senate President Troy Jackson to challenge Republican Sen. Susan Collins. Jackson, who had previously campaigned with Platner, has since distanced himself from him.