Senate President Shawn-Michael Malone indicated he is interested in running for the U.S. House of Representatives, but stopped short of tossing his hat in just yet, announcing Tuesday evening he is forming an exploratory committee.

Malone, a lifelong Democrat, said in a statement if he decides to go forward with his candidacy he intends to enter the Democratic Primary next summer.

"While for now I am determined to remain focused on my considerable duties as Senate president, I am certain that I can be very effective at the federal level," Malone said. "In my relatively short time at the helm of the Legislature, I’ve made many critical reforms. And as the Virgin Islands Delegate to Congress, I will be committed to a platform based on the concept that, as Virgin Islanders, we are equally entitled to the same rights and opportunities as those living within the 50 states.”

“At the same time we are in some ways a special case given our high cost of living and the size of our territory, and I would work hard to see that our unique needs are better met," he continued.

The six-term legislator was first elected to the Senate in 2002. Malone said he made the decision to announce he was considering the post after Delegate Donna M. Christensen declared she intends to seek the governorship in the 2014 primary during a recent U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing.

Malone served as a legislative aide to Christensen from 1997 to 1999 and then as district manager of her St. Thomas office until he resigned to run for the V.I. Legislature in the summer of 2002, according to his statement. He is a former president of the Young Democrats of St. Thomas-St John. On three occasions, he was elected by Democrats to represent them at their national conventions in 1996, 2000 and 2008.

Prior to his selection as president of the 30th Legislature in January, Malone held an array of posts. He was vice president during the 27th Legislature, secretary during the 25th Legislature, liaison to the U.S. House of Representatives in the 26th Legislature and Liaison to the Department of Interior in the 29th Legislature.

"I have worked successfully on many federal issues for a good period of my public service career and I consider the V.I. congressional delegate position a likely next step in continuing to serve the people of the Virgin Islands," Malone said. "I remain deeply committed to working to improve our overall quality of life and to making our territory competitive on a global scale."