‘White House crasher’ Tareq Salahi to run for Congress

WASHINGTON – A former reality TV star — best known for showing up uninvited to a 2009 White House state dinner with his then-wife — announced he will run for Congress.

Tareq Salahi made the announcement Tuesday, the same day Virginia Congressman Frank Wolf said he will be retiring at the end of this term. Salahi issued a release announcing his candidacy for Virginia’s 10th District, which includes portions of Clarke, Fairfax, Frederick, Loudoun and Prince William counties.

Salahi, who starred on the “Real Housewives of D.C.” in 2010 alongside his then- wife Michaele Salahi, wrote about his intentions on Twitter, where he now describes himself as a “U.S. Congress candidate” as well as travel and tourism expert and TV personality.

“I am well acquainted with the financial struggle and hardship many Virginians have been facing and have empathy and respect for the people who have somehow managed to tough it out in these challenging economic times,” Salahi said in a release, according to Roll Call.

“They need a strong voice on Capitol Hill.”

Last year, Salahi announced he would be running for governor of Virginia, but did not collect the required number of signatures.

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