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Alan Grayson Marries Woman Running to Replace Him

Dena Minning takes Grayson's name, which could help her in a crowded field

Senate candidate Rep. Alan Grayson married House candidate Dena Minning in Florida over the holiday weekend. (Courtesy Grayson for Senate)
Senate candidate Rep. Alan Grayson married House candidate Dena Minning in Florida over the holiday weekend. (Courtesy Grayson for Senate)

Senate hopeful Alan Grayson quietly married fiancée Dena Minning over the Memorial Day holiday weekend in Florida.  

“Rep. Alan Grayson and his wife Dr. Dena Grayson had a small, private wedding ceremony Sunday evening, with friends and family to celebrate their union,” Grayson spokeswoman Brook Hines told The Miami Herald .  

Minning, who has already adopted Grayson’s last name, is running for the 9th District seat her spouse currently holds.  

The union could give Dena Grayson an edge in the House primary.  

“Grayson’s wedding is fascinating and it could impact the race to replace him,” said Nathan Gonzales, editor and publisher of The Rothenberg & Gonzales Political Report. “Having the same last name as the outgoing congressman could create some confusion among primary voters. But it’s confusion that could benefit his new wife, particularly in a crowded field.”  

[

Down But Not Out: Grayson Plots Long Shot Comeback

]  

Grayson is facing off against fellow Florida Democrat , Rep. Patrick Murphy, for the Senate seat vacated by onetime presidential hopeful GOP Sen. Marco Rubio.  

Grayson divorced his first wife, Lolita Grayson, in 2014 following a highly publicized split .

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