Georgia House candidate charged after Smyrna incident

Republican state House candidate Andre Stafford was arrested on charges of public indecency and child molestation, a felony count, in connection with an Oct. 15 incident in Smyrna, Cobb County authorities said. Stafford is running for House District 42, a seat held by Democrat Gabriel Sanchez. Georgia's general election is Nov. 3.

Cobb County's arrest warrant states that a girl walking to her bus stop was approached by a gray 2024 Kia Forte and that the driver exposed himself. Police said Flock surveillance cameras traced the vehicle to Stafford, and the victim identified him from a photo lineup.

Stafford has appeared in photographs with several prominent Georgia Republicans, including state Sen. Greg Dolezal, who is running for lieutenant governor, U.S. Rep. Barry Loudermilk, and state Rep. Houston Gaines. Gaines is running for a congressional seat held by U.S. Rep. Mike Collins, who is seeking to unseat U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff in the 2026 midterms.

Collins said Stafford volunteered on multiple campaigns this year, including his own. "The charges are sickening, and if they're true, then he belongs on a list and behind bars," Collins said. Jackson's campaign has said Stafford has no connection to their campaign. Stafford's representatives did not immediately comment on the charges.