Patrick Dempsey Declares He Won't Rescue Democrats in Maine Senate Race

Patrick Dempsey, known for saving lives on “Grey’s Anatomy,” won’t be stepping into the political arena to save Democrats in Maine after Graham Platner’s abrupt exit from the Senate race.

The actor, who portrayed neurosurgeon Derek Shepherd, confirmed he will not run for the Senate seat following speculation about his candidacy as a potential replacement for Platner, who ended his campaign amid serious allegations.

Dempsey stated, “I kept coming back to one question: Do I truly want to serve in Congress? After a lot of thought, I realized the answer is no.” This declaration came just hours before Platner announced his withdrawal.

He emphasized that his decision was not a reflection on the honor of public service but rather a belief that he could contribute more effectively through his existing endeavors.

Platner’s campaign faced turmoil after new sexual assault allegations surfaced against him, which he denies. This scandal led to even his staunchest supporters in Congress retracting their endorsements.

Prior to these allegations, a survey by Tavern Research indicated Dempsey’s name was among potential candidates for the Senate seat. Other names included former state Senate President Troy Jackson and Nirav Shah, both of whom previously lost gubernatorial primary bids.

Jackson took steps on Tuesday to explore a run for Platner’s vacated position. Meanwhile, Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows expressed her willingness to consider entering the race if Platner stepped aside.

Shah, along with state Rep. Valli Geiger and state House Speaker Ryan Fecteau, have shown interest in the Senate seat but have yet to confirm their intentions to campaign.

Dempsey acknowledged that he had been approached about running for the Senate and had given it serious thought. “It’s flattering, and I don’t take it lightly. I love my home state of Maine,” he remarked.

His commitment to making an impact stems from his work with the Dempsey Center, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting cancer patients in memory of his mother, who succumbed to ovarian cancer in 2014 after battling it since 1997.

“The Dempsey Center has shown me what’s possible when people put aside differences and focus on helping one another,” he stated. “No one asks who you voted for before offering support. That’s the America I know. That’s what I want to see in the leader we send to the Senate.”

In response to Platner's exit, the state Democratic Party announced plans to hold a nominating convention to select a candidate to fill the vacancy.