An openly gay Republican has announced that he is exploring a bid for U.S. Senate. Rachel Weiner of the Post has the details.

Chrysovalantis Kefalas on Monday announced he is forming an exploratory committee to run for a U.S. Senate seat in Maryland, becoming the first Republican in the race to replace retiring Sen. Barbara A. Mikulski (D).

“We are in a position to make history and to make life better for everyone in Maryland,” Kefalas said. If elected, he would be the only openly gay Republican in Congress, and the first Republican to enter Congress as openly gay. Others have come out after serving in office for several terms.

Kefalas, 35, was a lawyer in the administration of former Maryland governor Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. (R), where, among other things, he advised on clemency decisions. He has since worked for the Justice Department and is now a speechwriter for the National Association of Manufacturers.

Kefalas is the first Republican to file with the FEC, although he has made no final decision on his candidacy.

He’ll have precisely zero chance in the cesspool that is the Maryland Republican Party. “Openly gay” will be the first and last thing the typical GOP voter will hear about Kefalas.