As pressure mounts on Democratic candidate Graham Platner to drop out of the Maine Senate race, numerous outlets are floating an unlikely ― albeit globally recognized ― Pine Tree State native to replace him. An article published this week by the conservative outlet Maine Wire included actor Patrick Dempsey alongside Maine Gov. Janet Mills and former Maine Senate President Troy Jackson among its list of candidates who could feasibly step into the race if Platner exits. Describing Dempsey as a “wild card,” Maine Wire’s Jon Fetherston said the “Grey’s Anatomy” star has been “generating discussion outside traditional political circles” and “enjoys widespread name recognition and a broadly positive public image.”“Political observers note that Dempsey could immediately attract national media attention, energize Democratic donors, and potentially appeal to women voters, independents, and those looking for a political outsider,” he added. Patrick Dempsey grew up in Lewiston, Maine, and has maintained close ties to his home state.James Gourley via Getty ImagesDempsey grew up in Lewiston, Maine’s second-most-populous city, and owns a home in the coastal town of Kennebunkport.He’s maintained close ties to the state via The Dempsey Center, a nonprofit advocacy group for cancer patients and others impacted by the disease. His sister, Mary, became the executive director of the Cancer Resource Center of Western Maine in 2018. Dempsey has never sought elected office and doesn’t appear to have made any recent political endorsements. However, the father of three was spotted at an event commemorating former President Joe Biden’s visit to Auburn, Maine, in 2023. The actor has yet to address any of the discourse publicly, and his representative did not immediately respond to HuffPost’s request for comment.Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner has faced a growing list of controversies as his national profile has expanded. This week, a woman he once dated accused him of sexual assault. Bloomberg via Getty ImagesIn addition to Maine Wire, his name has also appeared in USA Today and Time, among other national outlets, as a prospective replacement for Platner. On Tuesday, The New York Times reported that Dempsey “was viewed favorably by 52 percent of voters” in a survey conducted by a Democratic firm. Platner, the progressive oysterman who won the Democratic nomination to challenge Republican Sen. Susan Collins last month, has faced a growing list of controversies as his national profile has expanded. This week, a host of prominent Democrats ― including Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer ― began urging Platner to step aside after Politico reported a woman he’d once dated had accused him of sexual assault.Though Platner has denied any wrongdoing, his team has stopped all fundraising and social media advertising.