Actor Patrick Dempsey said Wednesday he will not run for U.S. Senate in Maine, ending speculation that the “Grey’s Anatomy” star might replace embattled Democratic nominee Graham Platner on the ballot.
Dempsey, a Lewiston native and founder of The Dempsey Center, which provides free cancer support services, published an op-ed in The Portland Press Herald explaining his decision. “After a lot of thought, I realized the answer is no,” he wrote, addressing the question of whether he would enter the race. “Not because public service isn’t honorable — it absolutely is. But because I believe I can contribute more effectively through the life I’ve already built.”
His decision comes as Maine Democrats scramble to find a replacement for Platner, who faces mounting pressure to withdraw from the Senate race following sexual assault allegations he denies. According to the BBC, top Democrats have pressed Platner to drop out after a woman accused him of sexual assault. The deadline to replace him on the ballot is Monday, according to reporting from NBC News and other outlets.
Dempsey’s name had emerged in recent days as a possible replacement candidate. With Platner’s campaign in turmoil, multiple outlets including USA Today, CNN, and The New York Times reported that party leaders were considering various candidates to challenge Republican Senator Susan Collins. Dempsey, who has maintained a public profile through his cancer charity work and activism in Maine, was among those floated as a potential option.
In his statement, Dempsey outlined what he believes Maine voters should seek in their next senator: “I want someone who leads with empathy. Someone who listens before speaking, who has the courage to work with people they disagree with and who understands that public office isn’t about power. It’s about service.” He emphasized the importance of integrity and a focus on issues like healthcare and education, drawing on his work with cancer patients and his own experience with dyslexia.
Dempsey noted that through The Dempsey Center, he has witnessed “what’s possible when people put aside differences and focus on helping one another.” He said he wants to continue that work rather than pursue elected office. “Whether you’re an elected official, a teacher, a nurse, a business owner, a parent or a volunteer, service begins with one simple question: How can I make someone else’s life a little better?” he wrote.
With Dempsey’s withdrawal from consideration, Maine Democrats are now focused on other potential candidates. According to NBC News reporting from earlier this week, former Maine Senate President Troy Jackson and former gubernatorial candidate Nirav Shah have been mentioned as possible replacements. The Democratic Party has pulled spending from the race and said it will not invest unless Platner steps aside, according to reporting from Wake Up to Politics.
Sources
- The Portland Press Herald — Dempsey’s op-ed stating his decision not to run and his reasons for remaining focused on The Dempsey Center
- ABC News — Confirmation that Dempsey said he will not run for Maine Senate seat
- BBC — Reporting on top Democrats pressing Platner to drop out after sexual assault allegation
- NBC News — Reporting on potential replacement candidates and the Monday deadline
- USA Today — Coverage of Dempsey being floated as a possible replacement candidate
- The New York Times — Reporting on Maine Democrats’ search for a Senate nominee replacement
- CNN — Coverage of potential replacement candidates for Platner
- Wake Up to Politics — Reporting on Democratic Senate campaign committee pulling spending from Maine race
