Rep. Alan Grayson weds girlfriend running for his House seat

One contender to replace Rep. Alan Grayson in the U.S. House got a boost from the incumbent over the holiday weekend: by becoming his new wife.

The representative wed girlfriend Dena Minning Sunday night in Melbourne Beach, according to a statement from his office.

“Rep. Alan Grayson and his wife Dr. Dena Grayson had a small, private wedding ceremony Sunday evening, with friends and family in attendance to celebrate their union, in the Florida beach town where Dena grew up,” spokeswoman Brook Hines said, according to the Miami Herald.

The new Dr. Grayson changed her names on Facebook and Twitter, and updated her campaign banners to reflect the name change, according to the Orlando Political Observer.

She also posted a photo of the two together, captioned, “My handsome, brilliant, and amazing husband, Alan Grayson!!”

Grayson’s social media profiles did not mention the new union.

The current Rep. Grayson represents Florida’s 9th District in central Florida but is running to fill the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Sen. Marco Rubio.

Dena Grayson, a physician and biochemist who has not held political office before, announced she would run for his seat last July.

Several candidates have filed to replace Grayson in the Democratic-leaning district, including former aide Susannah Randolph and Florida State Senator Darren Soto.

Alan Grayson’s last marriage was annulled in April 2015 amid allegations his ex-wife Lolita had committed bigamy. He also attempted to have her arrested for credit card fraud. They had been married for 25 years, with five children.

This story was originally published May 31, 2016 at 5:14 AM with the headline "Rep. Alan Grayson weds girlfriend running for his House seat."