Patrick Dempsey has ruled out a run for the U.S. Senate in Maine, ending speculation that he would replace Democratic nominee Graham Platner, who withdrew from the race Wednesday evening after facing sexual assault allegations. The actor's announcement came about four hours before Platner exited the key race.
Dempsey's Decision
Dempsey, best known for playing neurosurgeon Derek Shepherd on Grey's Anatomy, wrote in an op-ed for the Portland Press Herald that he gave the idea serious consideration but ultimately decided against it. "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. "It's flattering, and I don't take it lightly. I love my home state of Maine. I care deeply about the people who live there and, like so many Americans, I'm concerned about the direction our country is heading."
He continued: "I gave it real thought. Not because I was looking for a new career, but because I asked myself an honest question: Could I make a meaningful difference?" He later admitted: "Do I truly want to serve in Congress? After a lot of thought, I realized the answer is no." The Memory of a Killer star added: "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 did not endorse a replacement, only saying that Maine needs a candidate who offers "a new approach to how we govern ourselves." The Maine native and founder of the Dempsey Center, which provides no-cost support for those impacted by cancer, added: "Most of all, I want integrity. That may sound idealistic today, but it shouldn't."
Platner's Withdrawal
Platner, a Marine veteran and oyster farmer, withdrew late Wednesday after he was accused of sexual assault by a former girlfriend, an allegation he has staunchly denied. The woman, Jenny Racicot, 41, told Politico that she and Platner were in an on-and-off relationship for more than two years until she cut him off in late 2021 after a drunk Platner entered her home uninvited and forced himself on her. In a video posted on social media on Monday, Platner shot down the allegations, stating that "any accusation of non-consensual behaviour is categorically false." He added: "We are taking the time to reflect on the best path forward for the state that I love, the people that I love, the movement I belong to." On Wednesday, Platner posted an 11-minute video on X insisting his decision to step down was not an admission of wrongdoing. "We're not doing it because of the allegations," he said. "We're doing it because of the structures that are being taken away from us by those in power."
What Happens Next
Platner had won the Democratic nomination in June and was set to challenge longtime Republican Sen. Susan Collins before his campaign came undone. His withdrawal came just days before the deadline for Democrats to replace him on the November ballot, and amid urging from prominent Democrats for him to step aside. The Maine Democratic Party must now choose a new nominee to take on Collins in the closely watched Senate race.
