Celebrity Friday: Marcus Brandon, Black Gay Congressional Candidate

Interesting news! Openly gay African American state Representative from North Carolina has taken out papers to run for Congressman Mel Watts U.S. House seat, NC-12.

Democratic State Rep. Marcus Brandon made his intentions to seek Congressman Mel Watt's 12th District seat official, according to Federal Election Commission documents made public this week. 

Watt is President Barack Obama's nominee to lead the Federal Housing Finance Administration. If confirmed, a Democratic frenzy is expected in the race to replace him. 

A campaign treasurer for Brandon, a High Point political consultant, filed papers May 1, the day the president announced Watt's appointment, to create the Marcus Brandon for Congress political committee, the first step needed to raise money for a potential bid.

If elected, Brandon would be the first ever openly gay Black Member of  Congress. Mark Takano became the first LGBT person of color elected to Congress last year. Brandon was elected to the North Carolina State House of Representatives in 2010.