Connecticut Republican gubernatorial nominee Tom Foley kicked off the general election in style on Wednesday, with an innovative display of party unity after the GOP primary. He took the Ice Bucket Challenge to raise money for ALS research — with his opponent from the primary, John McKinney, pouring the freezing cold water onto his head.

As McKinney prepared to pour out the bucket, he asked Foley: "Now listen, we've got a lot of cameras here. You're not holding this against me, are you?"

A laughing Foley responded: "I'm gonna come and give you a big hug right after this."

Foley, a businessman and former U.S. ambassador to Ireland under President George W. Bush, narrowly lost the general election in the 2010 open-seat race for governor. He is now seeking a rematch against Democratic Gov. Dan Malloy. He defeated McKinney, the state Senate minority leader, in the GOP primary last night.

Here is the video, courtesy of the Hartford Courant. --Eric Kleefeld