Lt. Gov. candidate Mandela Barnes responds to 2009 lingerie party, says theme was 'immature'

MILWAUKEE -- Mandela Barnes, Wisconsin's Democratic Lieutenant Governor candidate, is responding to criticism about a lingerie party that happened nearly a decade ago. Barnes was tagged as a host for the party on Facebook.

The Facebook post is from 2009, when Barnes was 22 years old. He now calls the theme of the party "immature." A state Republican representative calls it "disgusting."

It's a Facebook post that has resurfaced nine years later.An invitation to "Pretty In Pink A Vicky Secret Affair." The lingerie party details explain there will be prizes "FOR THE GIRL GOIN' THE HARDEST IN HER VICKY'S!!!"

The post jokes, "somebody said it's a recession, so if you the baddest, it may be a stimulus package for you!!!"

Since then, Barnes has served in the Wisconsin State Assembly and is currently the Democratic lieutenant governor nominee.

In a statement, Barnes says: 

The Facebook post came to light after the Wisconsin Republican Party alerted the Associated Press.

Alec Zimmerman, Communications Director for the Republican Party of Wisconsin, released the following statement:

Whether the post will make a difference is up to voters to decide.