Maine state Senator Eric Brakey, a true wunderkind in conservative politics, was honored at Red Alert Politics’ 2017 30 Under 30 Awards. The 29-year-old looked the part of a seasoned GOP campaigner, wearing his Maine red-white-and-blue pin, joined by his campaign aide Erin Daly. Brakey is testing Maine’s waters to see if Angus King’s independent-held seat in the Senate can turn red in 2018.

Brakey began his career in politics working on the 2012 presidential campaign for Rep. Ron Paul, R-Pa. This libertarian wing of the Tea Party helped shape 2016’s Trump train, and Brakey is confident that the seeds sown from 2012’s ashes have taken hold in a new generation.