Oregon Democratic candidate vows to 'reclaim her sexuality' after footage of her working as a $500-per-hour dominatrix at Manhattan BDSM dungeon was leaked, leaving her 'hyperventilating and crying'

A Democratic Congressional Candidate is 'reclaiming her sexuality' after a clip of her working at a Manhattan BDSM dungeon was leaked.

Courtney Casgraux, 41, is a self-described 'international businesswoman' who is running for a seat in the United States House of Representatives for Oregon's first district.

The single mother of a teenage son was exposed in a video leaked on Reddit for working as a dominatrix in Manhattan during hers 20s and 30s. 

Casgraux would charge clients $500 for playing the dominant role in BDSM activities.

The California native returned to the BDSM industry when she began working at Donatella's Dungeon - a hidden S&M club in Midtown Manhattan, The New York Post reported.

She launched her campaign to represent Portland's western suburbs on June 7 - a few months later she discovered provocative footage of her working as a BDSM dominatrix had been leaked to the public on Reddit.

The bombshell August 31 leak shocked Casgraux and left her in a state of panic: 'I was like, "Who did this?" and I just started calling every single person that I pretty much knew from my past … I was like hyperventilating, crying,' she said.

She described the upsetting moment she saw the video: 'My heart just kind of sinked in and I went psycho.'

The political candidate never discovered who exposed her in the Reddit post - she thinks that whoever is responsible was attempting to 'shame' her.

'To shame me for something that helped create the life that I have today where I have opportunity … made me really mad. Because it felt like an attack on women, not just an attack on me,' she said.

She is now reclaiming her sexuality - starting with a Playboy campaign collaboration.

In an Instagram post, the former-dominatrix said:  'First and foremost, I would like to thank Playboy for giving me the opportunity to express what freedom means to me and welcoming me into the Playboy family.

'Over the last month Playboy has not only championed me but my Congressional Campaign. 

'I’m looking forward to utilizing my platform to educate, uplift voices and fundraise for those less fortunate. 

'My journey with Playboy is just beginning so be on the lookout for more things to come.

'Secondly, I’m reclaiming this American Flag and what it represents, and that's FREEDOM AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.'

On her campaign website - the Oregon democrat said: 'As a fiercely independent single mother who has had to navigate the adversities of life, I understand firsthand the struggles that American families face on a daily basis.'

Casgraux said she comes from a family of both Republicans and Democrats and is running for Congress to 'empower Americans to fight for a democracy that truly represents that desires and needs or working families.'

Key political issues that her campaign focuses on are securing LGBTQ rights and equality, defending abortion rights nationwide, comprehensive gun reform and taking immediate action on climate change and safeguarding our natural resources.

Users on Reddit - the website used to expose Casgraux's risqué past - expressed mixed opinions on the Democrat candidate.

One user said: 'Looks like Oregon has a real gem running for congress in 2024. A self proclaimed woman's advocate with background as a Dominatrix by the name of Courtney Casgraux.'

Another responded: 'That is morally outrageous! Does she have a website? Could you link it so I know not to go there?'

Someone else said: 'And that is unpopular because?'