Graham Platner, Leading Candidate to Unseat Senator Collins on Stage at the State Theater, This Afternoon.  (Apologies for the Poor Quality, but This Canon is Not Intended for Such Long Shots!)

The First Performer at the Vote No on No. 1 Rally Hosted by Graham Platner at the State Theatre Today

One of Two Balledeers Entertaning the Packed Crowd at the Historic State Theatre, Portland, This Afternoon. “They were Fantastic!”

Vote No on 1 to Save Absentee Voting in Maine.  Many Republicans Support this Initiative to Limit Voters Access to the Ballot Box.

Graham Platner, leader of the pack to unseat the deeply unpopular Senator Susan Collilns (R), was preaching to the choir when he called for change to the establishment that is deliberately destroying our democracy in Washington, DC.

Much to his credit and unlike other politicians, Mr. Platner took no cheap, below the belt shots at anyone; only at oligarchy itself.  It was a refreshing call to action to save our democracy from a US Marine who has experienced overseas battlefields unknown to most Americans.

Following the introductory performances by several popular Maine balladeers, Mr. Platner recalled how critical to change music has been.  One of his favorites is “The Ballad of the 20th Maine.”  It recalls the Battle of Round Top at Gettysburg that enshrined Civil War Hero Joshua L. Chamberlain into the minds and hearts of history buffs everywhere –  forever.

“Mainers were called upon  then to fight for justice and equality. We need to do it again,” Mr. Platner said to a crowd roaring with approval that packed the almost 2,000 seat Theatre in  Portland’s downtown arts district.  “Our democracy is under attack.  There is a movement to remove access to the ballot box.  Get involved,” he urged referring to  Question 1 on the upcoming ballot on Tuesday, November 4th.

Mr.  Platner urged attendees to get involved by organizing.  “It is fundamentally hard to do.”  But some on the “other side of the political aisle are really on my side,” said the unpretentious oyster farmer from Sullivan who famously served four Leadeship tours of duty as a Marine in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The one hour rally was emceed by April Fournier, a Portland City Council member, with Native American blood in her DNA.  When Councilor Fournier introduced Mr. Platner as the next US Senator from Maine, the Theatre erupted once again into a roar of approval.

“The federal government is not going to show up to supply food donations to Preble Street. Following the election on November 4th, show up at local food banks.  Your neighbors need you,” he urged the crowd.

Meanwhile food donations were piled up in front of the State Theatre on Congress Street.  It was a plentiful response to a request from the  Platner campaign prior to the afternoon rally for food donations.  These donations were to be delivered to Preble Street  this afternoon.

In his parting words to a pumped up crowd calling for regime change, Mr. Platner ended it with the famous words “As Maine Goes, So Goes the Nation.”

For suggestions on how you can help Preble Street and other food banks, please visit post herein dated October 30, 2025.