Texas voters now have a colorful new contender in the race for Congress: Vince Offer Shlomi, famously recognized as the "ShamWow Guy" from his energetic infomercial days. The former pitchman, who enthusiastically promoted products like ShamWow and SlapChop, has officially entered the political arena, aiming to represent Texas' 31st Congressional District.
Campaign Launch and Key Messages
On his campaign website, Shlomi declares, "This woke mess won't clean itself," signaling his intent to tackle what he perceives as excessive political correctness. His slogan, "Make America Grow Some Cojones Again," reflects a bold, no-nonsense approach that has quickly garnered attention. In a recent advertisement, Shlomi did not hold back, criticizing his opponent's mental sharpness with pointed remarks.
Challenging the Incumbent
Shlomi faces stiff competition from longtime incumbent John Carter, an 84-year-old Republican who has held the seat for over two decades. Carter announced his re-election bid in November 2025, but Shlomi is leveraging this to his advantage. In a fiery ad, Shlomi slammed Carter's cognitive ability as "worse than Biden," adding, "Vote for me, a guy who's not half dead." This direct attack highlights the age and vitality issues at the forefront of his campaign.
Despite Carter receiving an endorsement from former President Donald Trump, Shlomi remains undeterred. He suggested to Fox News that the GOP incumbent's prolonged tenure borders on elder abuse, stating, "He's not a fighter. It's not that he's old, but his capacity is lacking and Trump doesn't know that." Shlomi believes he is the better candidate to bring fresh energy and perspectives to the role.
Political Vision and Motivations
If elected, Shlomi's mission is to "bring wholesomeness back to America," citing a perceived decline in traditional values. He explained, "I'm seeing people not standing up to things. Not thinking about God ... kind of afraid, they're kind of intimidated, walking on eggshells. I feel that we need to fight a little bit stronger on just the common-sense American value ideas." He acknowledges that his congressional bid is an "uphill battle" but views it as part of a "higher purpose" to clean up political corruption.
Shlomi detailed his motivations further: "The bottom line is I want to help clean the swamp. I've just seen the world, I'm looking at athletes, and they're not standing up for kids, or standing up for girls, and they just go with whatever pays the most money. So, I just thought, you know what? I'm not a brave person, but I just can't let this happen." This sentiment underscores his drive to challenge the status quo.
Inspiration from Charlie Kirk
In an interview with Time in November, Shlomi revealed that the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk served as a "catalyst" for his campaign. He described Kirk as a "woke buster" and felt a spiritual connection, saying, "I felt like I have Charlie Kirk's spirit in me, in a sense — or near me. It's drawn me to do this." Shlomi added, "I guess I'm becoming the woke buster myself," positioning himself as a champion against progressive ideologies in politics.
At 61 years old, Shlomi brings a mix of entrepreneurial flair and populist rhetoric to the race. His campaign has sparked discussions about age, cognitive ability, and the role of outsider candidates in modern elections. As the election approaches, Texas residents will weigh whether Shlomi's unconventional background and anti-woke message resonate enough to unseat a seasoned incumbent.
