Rep. Mike Michaud’s announcement Monday that he is gay is catching national attention across the blogosphere, the Internet and on cable news networks and newspaper sites including CNN, The Washington Post and Slate.

Michaud, 58, who currently serving his sixth term in the U.S. House of Representatives, made the disclosure in a column submitted to three of the state’s major news outlets, including the Portland Press Herald.

Washington Post Political BloggerAaron Blake noted that Michaud is the seventh openly gay member of the House. The Huffington Post, Politico.com, Dailykos.com, Newsmax.com, CNN Political Ticker and USAToday also noted the announcement Monday morning.

Slate.com blogger Mark Joseph Stern pondered whether Maine would become the first state to elect an openly gay governor: “Why should it matter that he, or anybody else, is gay? If homosexuality isn’t sinful or embarrassing, there’s really no reason to hide it—or to highlight it as one’s top qualification.”

U.S. Rep. Jared Polis, D-Colo., who is gay, congratulated Michaud for “coming out, living honestly” in a post on Twitter. “My #gaydar missed it, but happy to welcome @RepMikeMichaud to team #lgbt,” Polis tweeted.

Michaud tweeted the news on his campaign account, @Michaud2014. He later retweeted Polis’ post, as well as another tweet of support from his Maine colleague, U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree.