“Grey’s Anatomy” star Patrick Dempsey addressed speculation that he could replace disgraced Maine Democrat Graham Platner in the U.S. Senate race, revealing that he seriously considered a run before deciding against it.
The former “Sexiest Man Alive,” 60, said he gave the idea “real thought” before concluding he could make a greater impact outside elected office.
“Over the past several days, I’ve been asked a question more than once: Would you ever run for the United States Senate?” Dempsey wrote in an op-ed published in the Portland Press Herald earlier this week.
Ultimately, he decided to stick to his day job.
“As I reflected on all of this, I kept coming back to one question: Do I truly want to serve in Congress?” he wrote.
“After a lot of thought, I realized the answer is no. 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,” Dempsey said.
He ended the piece by encouraging fans to help others no matter what.
“That’s the work I want to keep doing. So no, I’m not running for office. But I am asking something of the people who do,” he wrote, encouraging the community to “Lead with humility. Tell the truth. Put people before party.”
Dempsey’s comments come as Democrats search for a replacement after Platner suspended his campaign for the U.S. Senate after a series of scandals — ranging from his Nazi-themed tattoo and raunchy social media posts to allegations of troubling behavior, sexual assault, and even rape.
Several names have since been floated online as potential replacements, including anti-ICE children’s content creator Rachel Accurso, known as “Ms. Rachel.”
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