Infomercial salesman Offer Vince Shlomi, best known as the “ShamWow guy” who pitched the ultra-absorbent towel to TV audiences across the country, has filed to run for Congress in Texas as a Republican.
Mr. Shlomi, 61, who filed under the name Offer Vince “ShamWow” Shlomi, is an Israeli-American businessman who is making a primary challenge against Republican Rep. John Carter, an 84-year-old seeking reelection in the 31st Congressional district that includes the northern Austin suburbs, Temple and Fort Hood.
Mr. Shlomi is now one of at least five candidates in the primary of a GOP stronghold.
He is president and CEO of the TV marketing company Square One Entertainment, and became well known for his adrenaline-filled infomercials in the 2000s.
He promoted products that included the ShamWow; a kitchen utensil called the “CrankChop;” another kitchen utensil known as the “SlapChop;” a lint roller called the “Schticky” and a liquid cleaner called “InVinceable.”
But Mr. Shlomi found himself in legal troubleat the height of his fame, following allegations of harassment and physical altercations.
In 2009, he was arrested in Miami Beach after an alleged violent scuffle with a sex worker which resulted in police photos of his facial injuries appearing in the tabloids. Prosecutors didn’t press charges.
He also waged legal fights related to his 1999 underground comedy film “The Underground Comedy Movie.”
Until he decided to step back into the spotlight to run for Congress, Mr. Shlomi focused more on his business of marketing and entrepreneurship.
