He subsequently ran for U.S. Congress in California's 10th congressional district to fill a vacant seat, a bid he lost with 8% of a special election vote on September 1,2009.
He subsequently ran for U.S. Congress in California's 10th congressional district to fill a vacant seat, in a bid to become the first openly-gay African-American in Congress. He lost that bid, receiving 8% of a special election vote on September 1,2009.