Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney (D-NY) is engaged to marry his longtime partner Randy Florke, the Times-Herald Record reports:
Spokeswoman Stephanie Formas confirmed that Florke proposed to Maloney this past Christmas Day. The two have been together for 21 years and have three children together.
“After 21 years together, we are excited for the next step in our journey as a family. For decades, we've fought to ensure that all families can experience the joys of loving commitment and we are proud to have our friends and family share this special moment with us in the near future," read a statement provided by Formas.
Maloney referenced his relationship shortly after the Supreme Court struck down DOMA:
“I called my partner, Randy, of 21 years to tell him about the decision and to congratulate him and I really couldn’t get the words out. And I realized in that moment that it was the first time in 21 years, 20 of those years spent raising our 3 amazing children, that I wasn’t talking to him as someone who was seen as less than in the eyes of my own country’s laws.”
The paper adds:
Maloney, a first-term Congressman is facing a potential rematch against Nan Hayworth this year, a one-term Republican he defeated in 2012. As on November 2013, the 18th Congressional District had a Democratic enrollment edge of about 14,500 voters , with a little less than a quarter unaffiliated.
Maloney came under criticism in recent months for his votes with Republicans that precipitated and upheld the government shutdown, an action which earned him and Rep. Kyrsten Sinema the brand of "queer conservadems" from HuffPost editor and activist Michelangelo Signorile.
