Spicy Cigar Fundraiser Scrapped

Republican gubernatorial candidate John Stephen almost had a brilliant fundraiser. Running in New Hampshire, he was set to benefit from a July 11, 2010 fundraiser hosted by cigar distributor Victor Vitale, who planned a bikini contest for the event. And, let's face it: there's nothing like a handful of hotties to get guys to pry open their wallets (just visit any strip club if you need proof of that!

According to Vitale, the bikini contest portion of the barbecue fundraiser was his idea alone, and Stephen didn't know it was coming. The fundraiser is still going to be held, but without this particular aspect. I'm sure it will still be fun ... but it's a shame about the contest.

I had the chance to catch up with Vitale in Easton, Pennsylvania, at Cigar Expo, and he told me about plans for the Ortsac brand ("Castro" backward), particularly in the run-up to the International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers show this summer.

[video via Cigar Reader]