BOSTON (AP) - Former Republican state Sen. Richard Tisei has jumped into the race for the state's 6th Congressional District seat currently held by U.S. Rep. John Tierney.
Tisei narrowly lost to the Salem Democrat in 2012 after Tierney was dogged by questions about what he knew of an illegal offshore gambling ring involving his wife's family.
Tisei has already formed a political committee and filed paperwork with the Federal Election Commission.
Tisei made the announcement in an email Thursday morning and was expected to appear in his hometown of Wakefield later in the day.
Tierney is also facing challenges from two Democrats - immigration attorney Marisa DeFranco and Salem resident Seth Moulton.
Tisei is also one of three openly gay Republicans nationwide expected to run in this year's midterm elections for Congress.
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