Latest politician to post shirtless photos: Florida state Rep. Peter Nehr
— -- Shirtless photos of yet another congressman are making their way around the Internet this week.
But in this case, they've apparently been posted for a noble cause.
Photos of state Rep. Peter Nehr have been buzzing on the Internet and on searches. The Republican from Tarpon Springs, Fla., says he sent them to friends to boast of his weight loss and renewed health. Nothing more.
Nehr writes in response to a Tampa Bay Times blog:
I have been a diabetic for many years and like many diabetics have had problems with my weight and my blood sugar control... I went from 210 pounds to 160 pounds and from a 38 inch waistline to a 30 inch waistline. I also went from taking over a 110 units of insulin per day taking 5 shots to almost no daily insulin shots.
... I have sent these pictures to many of my friends that have been following my health and diabetes progress and they have shared them with others as well. It appears that someone who has a problem with my politics is trying to use them in a way to hurt my campaign. I am proud of what I have done to improve my health and will discuss this with anyone who wants to know how to do what I did.
Some local media outlets noted they were sent to a political blog, which spurred Nehr's response. Nehr is running for re-election in the northern Pinellas-southern Pasco district of Florida.
Sending shirtless pictures that end up widely distributed on the Internet is usually a recipe for disaster. Tawdry photos already forced two congressmen out of office. Former Rep. Christopher Lee, R-N.Y., abruptly resigned from the House after a report emerged that he sent flirtatious emails, including one with a bare-chested photo of himself, to a woman he met on Craigslist. And former Rep. Anthony Weiner, D-N.Y., resigned after risqué online dealings with women, several of whom came forward with lewd photos and texts the congressman had exchanged with them.
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