Texas GOP city council candidate arrested for child porn just hours before election

A candidate for a Texas city council seat has been charged with two counts of child pornography -- and he was arrested just hours before the election, Newsweek reported.

Brad Benson, who was running for Place #4 on the Granbury City Council, was arrested on Nov. 6. The Republican Party of Hood County withdrew its support for him shortly after.

"Crimes of this degree tear at the heart and soul of society, and we condemn them in the strongest terms," an RPHC spokesperson said in a November 6 statement. "The Republican Party stands for the conservative, family values and the protection of children. These heinous acts are antithetical to what Republicans stand for."

"The executive committee has conferred, spoken with law enforcement, confirmed more substantial information, and unanimously withdraws their support for Mr. Benson," the statement added. "It is time for the justice system to act if Mr. Benson is proven guilty, the punishment needs to be swift and severe."

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"We sincerely hope that the grace and peace of our merciful God comes upon all the children and families involved and that healing, repentance, and restoration will be seen in personal lives, along with our beloved community."

Benson was also a member of the Granbury Volunteer Fire Department. He still remains listed as a councilmember candidate for Place #4 in the November 7 general election.