Congressional Candidate Attacked Over Party Photos With Dildo

Krystal Ball, in addition to having parents with a great sense of humor, is a 28-year-old Democratic candidate for Congress in Virginia. She also is a mother who co-runs an education software company with her hubby and, if elected, would be the youngest woman ever in Congress (it could use the breath of fresh air). When it comes to women's rights, her top concerns include violence against women and assistance for low income families, and is strongly pro-choice and pro-LGBTQ rights. But her policy positions are getting less airtime than the publication of some photos from a gag party soon after college.

In the photos, which were published by a couple of Republican blogs, Ball's then-husband has a dildo on his nose that Ball is posing with for the camera. Her outfit, which has been reported as "scantily clad" and other such descriptors, Amanda Hess points out is a mild tank top, skirt, and Santa hat (not that it should matter) ... but I can understand how women aren't supposed to show any skin whatsoever, right? NBC's Brian Nobles declares, "The photos are not what you'd expect from a woman hoping to be elected to Congress, and Krystal Ball knows it." Why not, exactly?

Dressed in a completely reasonable outfit for a joke Christmas party, with her husband (conservatives can't even cry out about casual hook-ups), having fun, as people in their early 20s are wont to do, Ball isn't doing anything inappropriate. Do candidates for Congress really not get to have personal lives or ever have fun? Are they always expected to be covered up in suits? Or is that just women candidates?

Ball, to her credit, has come out swinging against the sexist attacks, instead of keeping silent and letting the media and critics step all over her, as other woman have done. "I have a message for any young woman who is thinking about running for office and has ever attended a costume party with her husband or done anything stupid on camera. Run for office. Fight for this country. Don't let this sort of tactic deter you. ... more than just embarrassed, I'm angry! I'm angry that when we are suffering from high unemployment, record budget deficits and a broken education system, that crass political operatives will resort to the politics of personal destruction when they can't talk about the issues." Tell it, sister.

Worth noting, Ball reminds everybody, is that when now-Senator Scott's Brown's nude Cosmo centerfold came to light during the campaign, it didn't shatter his campaign. It didn't steal every second of the airways. It didn't make him unelectable — clearly, since he was elected. It's a double standard faced by her as a woman. Is it the hint of female sexuality that concerns people? Time to get over it. Whether Ball wins or loses in November, I hope her staunch stand against these sexist attacks inspires more young women to follow in her footsteps.

Photo credit: niq77174