Democrats turn to Sexiest Man Alive in emergency bid to win key seat
As a new series of allegations against a top politician in the US comes to light, party officials are hoping a former Sexiest Man Alive may save them from their predicament.
Democrats are pressuring nominee Graham Platner to drop out of the race for the Senate seat in Maine.
Patrick Dempsey was named People magazine's Sexiest Man Alive in 2023. Getty
And some in the state are hoping to replace him on the ballot with actor Patrick Dempsey.
The Grey’s Anatomy star turned race car driver is believed to be a Democratic voter and is a well-known Maine local.
And a poll conducted last month shows Dempsey to be far more popular in his home state than any politician.
Senator Susan Collins, the Republican Platner is running to defeat, has a net approval of minus 14.
Platner had a net approval of minus 7, but that was before the latest series of scandals emerged.
Dempsey however had a net approval of 43 per cent, with 52 per cent approving and just 9 per cent disapproving.
Platner has been beset by scandal for much of his run, with the gruff-voiced oyster farmer having to explain a series of Reddit posts decried as racist, sexist, tactless or sympathetic to communism.
But in recent days, Platner has been accused of rape by an ex-girlfriend. A second ex-girlfriend today said Platner had taken off condoms mid-sex without her consent.
Senator Susan Collins has proven profoundly difficult for Democrats to oust. AAP
Nearly all of his public backers are now calling on him to drop out.
If he does so by Monday, the state Democratic party will be able to replace him. If he drops out after that, Collins will be re-elected unopposed.
While Platner is yet to address his plans, Democratic politicians in the state are already jockeying for the spot.
But none are more popular than Dempsey, who was named People’s Sexiest Man Alive in 2023.
But many celebrities in the past have discovered a very effective way of losing popularity is by talking about politics.
Bernie Sanders was a prominent early endorser of Graham Platner but has rescinded his backing. AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty
The Emmy nominee grew up in Lewiston, Maine and owns a home in the small town of Harpswell.
Dempsey has yet to comment on the political speculation.
Maine is the only US state won by Kamala Harris that is currently represented by a Republican in the Senate.
Because of its Democratic leanings, the state is now seen as one of the party’s best hopes of winning a seat in the narrowly-divided Senate.
But Susan Collins has a long history of winning comfortably even as the rest of her party founders in Maine.
Democrats need to win four seats to claim control in the Senate, a move that would stifle Donald Trump’s legislative agenda.
But that is a tough ask for Democrats even with the political winds at their back in November’s election.
Dempsey would not be the first actor to successfully transition into politics.
Comedian and actor Al Franken was elected to the Senate in 2008, and actor Fred Thompson was elected in 1994.
But there is a much longer list of actors who have tried and failed to go from Hollywood to Washington.
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