Grey's Anatomy star emerges as possible emergency candidate as scandal rocks Senate race

With an abbreviated time frame in which to work now that it appears Maine Democrat Graham Platner may step aside after a devastating Politico report on sexual assault rocked his U.S. Senate campaign to its foundations, an unlikely replacement was suggested by the Maine Wire.

Platner is mulling his options after he was accused by a former girlfriend of rape in an explosive Politico report that led to a wide array of Democrats pulling their endorsements and the party cutting off all financial support.

His anticipated withdrawal means Democrats will have to work fast and select a new candidate to take on incumbent Republican Sen. Susan Collins.

According to the Maine Wire, actor Patrick Dempsey, 60, who played Dr. Derek “McDreamy” Shepherd on the popular Grey’s Anatomy show, would be a “wild card” and would inject something not seen before into the midterm campaign.

Maine Wire's Jon Featherston wrote that "outside traditional political circles," Dempsey's name is being taken seriously, with discussions over the possibility the Maine native could become the party's emergency candidate.

"The Lewiston native has long maintained strong ties to Maine through both his acting career and his charitable work with the Dempsey Center. Unlike many of the political figures being discussed, Dempsey enjoys widespread name recognition and a broadly positive public image," Featherston reported before adding, "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.”

If Platner withdraws by 5 p.m. on July 13, Maine Democrats have until July 27 to select a replacement, giving them roughly two weeks to recruit, vet, and launch a statewide Senate campaign from scratch against an entrenched incumbent.