A Republican city council candidate in Texas was arrested Monday on the eve of Election Day on two felony charges of child pornography possession.
Brad Benson, a longtime volunteer firefighter and movie theater manager in Granbury, a city southwest of Dallas-Fort Worth, was taken into custody Monday, the Republican Party of Hood County said in a statement.
Benson was a Republican candidate for Place 4 on the Granbury City Council in Tuesday’s election.
“Based on the limited information available, it is our understanding that a serious sex related offense may be involved. If these allegations are true, there is no way the party would ever condone such activity,” the party said.
The Republican Party of Hood County withdrew its support for Benson after additional details about the charges emerged.
“Crimes of this degree tear at the heart and soul of society, and we condemn them in the strongest terms,” a second statement from the party said. “The Republican Party stands for conservative, family values and the protection of children. These heinous acts are antithetical to what Republicans stand for.”
Benson described himself on his campaign site as both a gay man and “a genuine conservative, both fiscally and ideologically.”
According to his social media, he was running on a platform that would prioritize infrastructure upgrades, reduce the city’s operating budget, and improve the city’s fire department.
A slogan at the top of Benson’s campaign website reads, “Conservative, Texan, No BS.”
Between 30 and 40 cars were spotted at Benson’s home at about 6 a.m. Monday morning as law enforcement officials conducted a raid, the Hood County News reported, citing an anonymous source.
State troopers and plain-clothed officers were seen milling about his residence and searching Benson’s truck and truck bed.
At one point, someone emerged from the home with a brown paper sack that they handed over to a trooper, according to the outlet.
Benson was charged with two counts of felony first-degree child pornography possession. His bond was set at $100,000 each.
He faced Charles Beard and Gary “Skip” Overdier, who are both also conservatives, for the city council seat.
“I pray for all the children who may have been hurt as a result of Brad Benson’s actions if true,” Beard wrote online following news of the charges against Benson. “Child pornography is a sickness and will forever hurt its victims for life. I pray you charge your angels to watch over these victims.”
Benson’s campaign accounts have not addressed his arrest.