Elections

Maine Senate candidate dances in speedo to samba music [VIDEO]

Grae Stafford Freelance Photographer
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A candidate for Maine’s state Senate is laughing off a newly resurfaced video of him dancing and cavorting to samba music wearing nothing but a pair of speedos.

Eric Brakely, a 24-year-old Republican candidate, is seen shaking what he’s got for a “comedy piece” that was intended to be used in a 2011 commercial for Vita Coco Coconut water.

Brakey has responding to the publication of the video lightheartedly. Rather than distancing himself from it, he has embraced it, cheekily posting a picture of himself with the beverage to his campaign Facebook page Wednesday morning.

Eric Brakey with coconut water Eric Brakey for Senate/Facebook.com

Eric Brakey with coconut water Eric Brakey for Senate/Facebook

 

Supporters have also posted pictures carrying the drink using the hashtag #GotBrakeysBack‬.

“It shows that I’m a full human being with more experience than just working in politics,” Brakey told the Portland Press Herald. Brakey, who is a professional actor, also posted pictures of him on-stage in costume.

The video has become a flash point in the race after Mike Hein, who formerly worked at the Christian Civic League and a former candidate himself, reportedly circulated a poorly edited version of the video to the media. Hein denies that it was him who edited the video.

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Grae Stafford