Patrick Dempsey squashed some Democrats’ hopes of a Sen. McDreamy this week by confirming he has no plans to enter the political arena. The “Grey’s Anatomy” actor published an op-ed Wednesday in Maine’s Portland Press Herald: “Why I’m not running for U.S. Senate.” In it, he acknowledged he’d given “real thought” to the prospect of running for elected office but, ultimately, decided against it. “After a lot of thought, I realized the answer is no,” he wrote. “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.”And while he’s not running, he went on to offer a succinct message to those who choose to do so: “Remember that public office is a privilege not a career path and that leadership isn’t measured by how loudly you speak or how often you’re on television. It’s measured by whether people’s lives are better because you served.” A Maine native who owns a home in the coastal town of Kennebunkport, Dempsey had been floated as a possible replacement for former Democratic candidate Graham Platner, who exited the Senate race Wednesday after a series of controversies, including an allegation of sexual assault. Patrick Dempsey had been floated as a replacement for former Democratic candidate Graham Platner, who exited Maine's Senate race Wednesday. Dia Dipasupil via Getty ImagesMaine Wire, a conservative outlet, touted Dempsey as a “wild card” candidate, noting the actor “could immediately attract national media attention, energize Democratic donors, and potentially appeal to women voters, independents, and those looking for a political outsider.” Other national outlets, including Time and USA Today, listed Dempsey’s name alongside established politicians like Maine Gov. Janet Mills in articles about who might step up in Platner’s stead. The New York Times cited a poll that described the actor as being “viewed favorably by 52 percent of voters.” Dempsey doesn’t appear to have made any public political endorsements in recent years. However, the father of three was spotted in the crowd at then-President Joe Biden’s 2023 speech in Auburn, Maine. Maine’s Democratic Party has said it will select a candidate to replace Platner through a first-of-its-kind nominating convention before a July 27 deadline set by state law. The implosion of Platner’s campaign, however, has left many Democrats, both in Maine and across the U.S., feeling disheartened.A progressive oysterman and Marine Corps veteran, Platner enjoyed immense popularity, particularly among young voters. His prospective victory in the midterms this fall was seen as critical to upsetting the Republican Senate majority and thus tamping down President Donald Trump’s power during his final two years in office.