Patrick Dempsey gave real thought to a Maine Senate run, then said no
DIRECT ANSWER: Patrick Dempsey gave real thought to running for U.S. Senate in Maine after Democratic nominee Graham Platner faced sexual assault allegations, but he will not enter the race. In a Portland Press Herald op-ed, the actor said he loves Maine, is concerned about the country's direction, and believes someone more qualified should take the seat.
Key Takeaways
- Patrick Dempsey gave real thought to a Maine Senate bid after the Graham Platner scandal but publicly ruled himself out.
- He said public service is honorable, yet he can contribute more through the life he has already built.
- Democrats may have roughly two weeks to pick a replacement nominee to face Republican incumbent Susan Collins.
- Platner suspended his campaign operations on Wednesday, citing Democratic establishment structures rather than the allegations.
Why did Patrick Dempsey consider running for Senate in Maine?
Patrick Dempsey wrote in a recent op-ed for the Portland Press Herald that he gave real thought to running for Senate in Maine after the Democratic nominee Graham Platner was hit with sexual assault allegations. Over the past several days, he had been asked more than once whether he would ever run for the United States Senate.
It is flattering, and he does not take it lightly, Dempsey wrote. He loves his home state of Maine, cares deeply about the people who live there and, like so many Americans, is concerned about the direction our country is heading.
Why did Dempsey decide not to run for Senate?
Despite the speculation, Dempsey ultimately decided to leave the job for someone more qualified. After a lot of thought, he realized the answer is no.
Not because public service is not honorable — it absolutely is, he wrote. But because he believes he can contribute more effectively through the life he has already built.
What happens next in Maine's Senate race?
Dempsey asserted that the next two weeks, during which Democrats will scramble to find a replacement nominee who will take on Republican incumbent Susan Collins, will be a very important time for Maine. He hopes the new candidate offers a new approach to how we govern ourselves.
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What did Graham Platner say about suspending his campaign?
Platner posted a video to social media on Wednesday afternoon in which he announced plans to suspend his campaign operations. He said that his team is not doing it because of the allegations, but because the structures that are being taken away from us by those in power.
He added that they were asking for real democracy and did it the right way and won. But now the ball is in the court of the Democratic establishment. My name might be on the ballot right now, but that ballot line belongs to the people of Maine, he said, adding that the next Democratic senator for Maine needs to reflect the will and values of the people of this state.