A former reality TV personality has announced he’s running for Congress. A press release circulated today, apparently from Salahi for United States Congress, announces that former "Real Housewives of D.C." star Tareq Salahi is seeking to replace retiring Rep. Frank Wolf and represent the 10th District of Virginia.

Salahi, who is seeking the Republican nomination, said: “I would like to thank Representative Wolf for his dedication to the Commonwealth and her people whom he has served well and judiciously since 1981."

The release includes a link to SalahiforCongress.com, which opens on crashthevote.com. As of midday today, the crashthevote site still opened with "Salahi for Governor" information, reflecting Salahi’s earlier bid to become governor of Virginia. That campaign appeared to have little impact on the 2013 election, which was won by Democrat Terry McAuliffe by a narrow margin over Republican Ken Cuccinelli.

Along with his appearances on the Bravo reality show, Salahi is best known for allegedly crashing a White House state dinner in November 2009 along with his now ex-wife, Michaele Salahi. The couple appeared on "Real Housewives" in 2010.

In the announcement, Salahi is quoted saying: “We learned a lot during our first campaign and the ‘Listening Tour’ and will build on what we have learned and heard as we move forward toward giving the people a powerful voice. We have heard from our constituents and they want change, fresh leadership, dynamic new ideas to address issues and a strong candidate who will let their voices be heard loudly and clearly."

Salahi also is quoted as saying: "My political goals are sincere and motivated by a desire to once again serve the hard-working people of Virginia and genuinely represent them, their values, their concerns and their needs. 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. They need a strong voice on capitol hill.”

crashthevote.com, Dec. 17, 2013