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
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.
