COLD SPRING , N.Y., June 23 (UPI) -- New York's first openly gay congressman, Democratic Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney, married partner Randy Florke Saturday, becoming the second sitting congressman to wed a same-sex partner.
Maloney married Florke, who is a real estate and design executive, at Church of St. Mary-in-the-Highlands, in New York's Hudson Valley, where the two live with their three children. This makes Maloney the second congressman to marry a same-sex partner while in office, after Rep. Barney Frank, a former Democratic congressman, was the first.
"Even after 22 years together, we're overwhelmed by how blessed we feel to celebrate this special day with our friends and family. With our three kids by our side, this couldn't have been a more perfect day," the couple said in a statement.
Florke, 51, proposed last Christmas after their youngest daughter Essie wrote Santa Claus a letter on her father's congressional letterhead saying, "Santa can you try making my wonder-ful fathers get married. They are a loving couple!"
"Thank you to all our friends near and far for their love and support as we continue to fight to ensure all families can experience the joys of a lifetime commitment," the couple said.
Maloney, 47, represents New York's 18th district in the lower Hudson Valley region, and before entering politics he worked in state and national politics and ran the tech startup Kiodex. Maloney's spokeswoman said there are no imminent plans for a honeymoon as the congressman is preparing for a primary on Tuesday.
