New York’s first openly gay congressman was married Saturday.
Sean Patrick Maloney, a Democrat elected to New York’s 18th Congressional District in 2012, married his longtime partner, Randy Florke.
"Even after 22 years together, we're overwhelmed by how blessed we feel to celebrate this special day with our friends and family,” the couple said in a statement, adding that they hope “all families can experience the joys of a lifetime of commitment.”
The ceremony, attended by about 250, was held at St. Mary-in-the-Highlands, in New York's Hudson Valley, where the couple lives with their three children.
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Florke, 51, is a real estate and design executive.
Before running for Congress, Maloney, 47, worked in state and national politics and ran a high-tech start-up. After a competitive race, he defeated Republican Nan Hayworth in 2012 by just a few percentage points.
Maloney is the second openly gay congressman to be married while in office in the United States. Two years ago, Barney Frank, the former Democratic representative from Massachusetts, became the first. Mark Pocan, a Democrat from Wisconsin, married his partner in Canada before he was elected to congress.
After the wedding, there was no honeymoon planned, his spokeswoman said: Maloney had a Tuesday primary to prepare for.
—Tim Stelloh
