Accused rapist Graham Platner speaking at labor rally in potential first public appearance since ending US Senate bid

Former Maine Democratic Senate nominee Graham Platner is scheduled to be the featured speaker at a Labor Day rally in what may be one of his first public appearances since ending his campaign.Platner won Maine’s Democratic primary for the right to challenge veteran Republican Sen.Susan Collins, but he dropped out in July after Politico reported that a former girlfriend said he sexually assaulted her.

Platner denied the allegation but said at the time he left the race that he was stepping aside because of the importance of defeating Collins.Platner will appear at an event organized by Hancock County Activists called “Labor Day Rally for Labor” at Ellsworth City Hall, near his hometown, according to a notice on Hancock County Democrats’ website.“The rally will kick off a series of events leading up to the primaries, with musical performances and featured speaker Graham Platner, who will talk about the history of unions and the important role organized labor has played in our communities and our country,” the notice states.The event is not being hosted or organized by the Hancock County Democratic Committee and it has no affiliation with the Maine Democratic Party, a party source said.Posting information about the event online was consistent with Hancock County Democrats’ past practice, said Marcia Myers, chair of the county Democratic committee.“We felt people should be aware of it, and informed about it,” said Meyers.

“It’s certainly notable that Graham Platner is a person scheduled to speak.We post this as information for people and they can decide whether to attend or not.”Platner spoke at the rally last year, said Carol Leonard, who works with the community organization group Acadia Action, which is also helping to host the event.

He’s not expected to talk about the campaign, but instead will focus on the history of the U.S.labor movement, she said.The state party hastily called a special convention and nominated former state Senate P...