A Republican candidate for the Georgia House of Representatives has been arrested and charged with child molestation and public indecency following an alleged incident at a bus stop. Andre Lamar Stafford, who is challenging an incumbent Democrat for Georgia House District 42, was booked last Thursday.
According to an arrest warrant, Stafford is accused of pulling up to a teenage girl walking to a bus stop on the morning of October 15. He allegedly spoke to the girl, told her she was pretty, then exposed himself and touched himself before driving away in a gray sedan. Authorities used Flock camera technology to identify the vehicle, with the license plate registered to Stafford.
Stafford was released after being booked. He told WAGA-TV, a local Fox affiliate, "I have no reason to drop out, I am innocent." HuffPost reported that Stafford’s campaign website did not immediately respond to a request for comment regarding the allegations or whether he intended to suspend his campaign.
Earlier this month, Stafford spoke with WSB-TV about the potential impact of Vice President JD Vance’s visit to the metro Atlanta area, suggesting that the "MAGA base showing up will be a difference maker" in key races. Days before the alleged incident, Stafford penned an op-ed supporting U.S. Senate candidate Rep. Mike Collins, who is backed by Donald Trump. Meyer Siegfried, a spokesperson for Collins’ campaign, confirmed to WXIA-TV that Stafford had volunteered for Collins’ campaign and stated, "The charges are sickening, and if they’re true, then he belongs on a list and behind bars."