Wisconsin congressional candidate releases new campaign video while intoxicated
WISCONSIN (CBS 58) -- A candidate running for House Speaker Paul Ryan's seat is turning heads because of a new video. In it, he says he is drunk and smoking marijuana.
The person running is named Jeremy Ryan, he's something of a political provocateur but he did get the necessary 1,000 signatures to appear on the ballot before choosing to appear extremely inebriated on tape.
"And when I'm drunk and high, I will answer your questions. That sounds like a good [expletive] video series to me, doesn't it?"
Congressional Candidate Jeremy Ryan posted the video on Monday.
"I don't think anyone actually has the balls to drink and smoke marijuana on camera. But, I think there are a lot of people who are running in the closet but I'm trying to be more genuine and honest about who I am," said Ryan.
"In no area of the district can you actually get high and it's not a criminal offense. Let me smoke this bong real quick," Ryan can be heard saying in the video.
He says a big part of his platform is marijuana legalization and that he identifies as a libertarian or self-proclaimed progressive republican.
"But neither party likes me and I think that's what would be my strongest suit," Ryan said.
People like UWM Professor Mordecai Lee says he's not a serious candidate.
"But at the same time, he's a shrewd guy. His last name is Ryan. He's hoping that people will go vote in the primary, not realizing that Paul Ryan is retired and they'll say 'Oh there's Paul Ryan. He's my favorite congressman, I'm going to vote for him'," said Lee.
In 2014, Jeremy Ryan got nearly 6% of the GOP primary vote against Paul Ryan. Now, he's trying to lean on relatability.
"I feel like it's the thing that average people are doing anyway. If I was elected, I'm not going to go to a political debate drunk or high. If I was elected, I wouldn't be on the congressional floor drunk or high," Ryan said.
A few local GOP chapters say that Jeremy Ryan is not a serious candidate nor is he a Republican. Ryan currently does not live in the district but for a congressperson, residency only has to be established 30 days before a person is sworn into office.