Political candidate charged with child molestation days before election

ATLANTA (ANF/Gray News) — A Republican candidate in Georgia running for the state House of Representatives has been arrested on charges of public indecency.

According to Cobb County authorities, Andre Stafford is accused of public indecency and child molestation, a felony charge, in connection with an Oct. 15 incident in Smyrna.

The arrest warrant said a girl walking to her bus stop was approached by a gray 2024 Kia Forte whose driver exposed himself. Police said Flock surveillance cameras tracked the car to Stafford, whom the victim identified in a photo lineup.

Stafford is running for house district 42 in Smyrna, a seat held by Democrat Gabriel Sanchez.

Stafford has been photographed with a number of prominent GOP officials, including state Sen. Greg Dolezal, who is running for lieutenant governor; U.S. Rep. Barry Loundermilk; and state Rep. Houston Gaines, who is running for a congressional seat now held by U.S. Rep. Mike Collins, seeking to unseat U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff in Georgia’s nationally watched 2026 midterms.

“Mr. Stafford has volunteered on many campaigns across the state this year, including ours,” Collins said. “The charges are sickening, and if they’re true, then he belongs on a list and behind bars.”

Jackson’s campaign has said Stafford has no connection to their campaign.

Stafford’s representatives did not immediately comment regarding the situation.

Georgia’s general election is on Nov. 3.