Maine Senate race faces controversy over Graham Platner event

Democratic Senate nominee Troy Jackson is facing political pressure in Maine following the announcement that Hancock County Activists will feature former nominee Graham Platner at a Labor Day event in Ellsworth.

Platner recently exited the Senate race following allegations of sexual assault and threatening behavior made by two former partners, Jenny Racicot and Lyndsey Fifield. Both women have publicly called for the cancellation of the event, urging Mainers to ‘refuse to platform abusers.’ Platner has denied all allegations of physical or sexual abuse.

The announcement has caused friction within the Democratic Party. Local officials and former party leaders described the decision to host Platner as an ‘unforced error’ that could provide political ammunition to Republican incumbent Senator Susan Collins. Collins has already used the controversy to question the temperament of the new nominee, Jackson, while Republican efforts have sought to link Jackson to Platner.

Recent polling shows Jackson holding a narrow two-point lead over Collins, though the margin remains within the sampling error.