(CNN) – While an underdog mayoral candidate in Providence, Rhode Island likely isn't headed to City Hall any time soon, he appears destined for the marriage altar after popping the question to his girlfriend during a televised debate Tuesday night.
"Now is the time for me...to start anew and thank those who have helped me throughout my life and love those who have helped me throughout my life. So I wanted to say to Kara, will you please marry me?" said Chris Young, a quixotic candidate who has unsuccessfully sought many offices in the state and is better known for his outlandish antics then his stances on the issues.
Kara Russo, Young's girlfriend, campaign manager, and a candidate herself for Rhode Island attorney general, said yes. After the debate, Young presented Russo with a ring.
But there's one caveat: CNN affiliate WPRI reports Young added off camera the marriage would only occur if he won the mayoral race – a highly unlikely prospect.
Still, it remains unclear if the proposal was merely a stunt. Young had already been referring to Russo as his fiancé and has boasted of plans to hold a wedding in downtown Providence when he becomes mayor, according to WPRI.
Young caused a stir earlier this week when, in an appearance on a political talk show, he avoided answering questions about his positions to instead serenade the interviewer with a song he claims to have written. A YouTube video of the occurrence has since garnered more close to 60,000 views.
Young also disrupted a debate in late July when he refused to set aside a statue of the Virgin Mary. Providence radio station WPRO reported Providence police finally removed Young from the event as a result. The station also reports Young was removed from a debate several years ago after he flipped a table.
From CNN Politics
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If he's serious, it's sweet and original.
If he's doing this as a publicity stunt, then he's a tool and does not deserve the nomination or the girl.
Umm.. awww, how sweet? Or something like that? I didnt know crazy people could get married.
Nice touch!
Who cares wns why is this news?
This guy is a jerk.
A lame publicity stunt by 2 gadfly candidates to denigrate both the institution of marriage and their campaigns by mixing the two.
This is a crazy scenario!
But, at least he is likely to get something out of this, a marraige, I hope.
Again, that is if it's not a public stunt, just like before!
...better known for his outlandish antics THAN his stances on the issues.
huh. Unprofessional much. Doesn't seem to take the political arena that seriously.
Romance in America there's some things that should never change .
Bring back BUDDY!
The way things are going in this country,
it's a relief that he ask a WOMAN to marry
him. What a nice gesture. I hope he does well
and gets the hell out of American politics.
Seems like a normal guy.
All I can say is you'd better be darn sure of the answer before you ask that question in such a public forum and put a young woman on the spot.
Always a risky move to propose so publically as it puts the proposee on the spot. What if she had said "no"? Anypoop, congratulations to the happy couple!