Gay Lawmaker Running for Maryland Governor

A Maryland lawmaker hopes to be elected the nation's first openly gay governor.

Delegate Heather Mizeur plans to make her campaign announcement Wednesday for the 2014 governor's race.

Mizeur, a Democrat who has been exploring a run for months, also would become Maryland's first female governor if elected, although women have run in the past.

Maryland legalized same-sex marriage earlier this year, after voters approved legislation in November allowing it.

An openly gay candidate has never been elected governor in any state.

Mizeur, who has been a member of Maryland's House of Delegates since 2007, has focused on health issues while in office and has been an outspoken advocate for caution in allowing drilling for natural gas in the Marcellus Shale in western Maryland.