State Sen. Rich Madaleno (D-Montgomery County) on Thursday said he is “seriously considering” a run for Maryland Congressman Chris Van Hollen’s seat in the U.S. House of Representatives.

“I am honored to be asked,” the gay Montgomery County Democrat told the Washington Blade in an e-mail.

Madaleno’s comments come a day after Van Hollen announced his candidacy to fill U.S. Sen. Barbara Mikulski (D-Md.)’s seat once she retires from the U.S. Senate in 2016.

Politico on Thursday reported that Marriott International Executive Vice President Kathleen Matthews, who is the wife of MSNBC anchor Chris Matthews, is planning to run for Van Hollen’s seat.

“I am seriously considering this unexpected opportunity,” Madaleno told the Blade. “Right now, my primary focus remains representing the people of District 18 in the Maryland Senate as the General Assembly session continues through early April.”

Madaleno, 49, has represented the 18th Senate District in Annapolis since 2007.

He is among the lawmakers and advocates who led efforts to secure passage of the state’s same-sex marriage bill that then-Gov. Martin O’Malley signed into law in 2012. The Montgomery Democrat last year introduced a transgender rights measure that took effect in October.

Madaleno last June defeated Dana Beyer, executive director of Gender Rights Maryland, who challenged him in the Democratic primary.