Massachusetts.USA

MEDFORD, Mass. — An openly gay Massachusetts state lawmaker has announced plans to seek a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives should U.S. Rep. Edward Markey (D) be successful in his bid for the U.S. Senate seat vacated by John Kerry.

State Rep. Carl Sciortino (D-Medford) is seeking the Fifth Congressional District seat currently held by Markey, who is currently the front-runner in a special Senate election to replace Kerry, who was nominated and confirmed at Secretary of State.

“I am running to continue the strong progressive leadership that the families of the Fifth District have always counted on,” said Sciortino, announcing his candidacy on Facebook. “I look forward to bringing my record of accomplishment to Washington to fight for our progressive values.”

Sciortino also endorsed Markey’s candidacy for the U.S. Senate.

“I am proud to call Ed Markey my Congressman and I am dedicated to helping elect him as our next U.S. Senator,” said Sciortino. “His record on behalf of Massachusetts families – fighting for jobs, consumers’ rights, and a healthier environment — is the kind of leadership Massachusetts needs in the Senate and it is a record I look forward to continuing in Congress.”

Sciortino was first elected to the Massachusetts state legislature in 2004, upsetting a 14-year incumbent at the age of 25.

He is one of the Commonwealth’s seven openly-gay legislators and a leading voice for LGBT rights, championing the fight for marriage equality and co-authoring the 2011 Transgender Equal Rights Bill.

In 2007, Sciortino co-authored a bill which created the 35-foot buffer zone that protects the entrances to women’s reproductive health centers.

Sciortino graduated from Tufts University in 2000 and holds a master’s degree in public administration from the Kennedy School at Harvard University.

He and his fiancé reside in Medford, a northern suburban Boston city.

Tags: Carl Sciortino, Edward Markey, John Kerry, Massachusetts, U.S. House of Representatives

Filed under: Massachusetts