United Kingdom, July 9 -- Patrick Dempsey finds it "flattering" he's been asked to run for a seat in the US Senate.

The Grey's Anatomy star cares "deeply" about his home state of Maine and its residents and while he has given "real thought" to questions of him moving into a political career, he's ultimtely decided against it for now.

In an op-ed for the Portland Press Herald, he wrote: "Over the past several days, I've been asked a question more than once: Would you ever run for the United States Senate?

"It's flattering, and I don't take it lightly. I love my home state of Maine. I care deeply about the people who live there and, like so many Americans, I'm concerned about the direction our country is heading.

"I gave it real thought...