Smyrna House Candidate Charged In Bus Stop Incident

Andre Stafford, a Republican running for Georgia House District 42 in Smyrna, faces a felony count of child molestation and one count of public indecency. Authorities arrested him Thursday. Cobb County jail records show he was released Saturday on a $27,720 bond.

According to an arrest report, Stafford is accused of telling a girl she was pretty, then exposing himself and driving away from a bus stop early on Oct. 15. The report does not list the age of the alleged victim. Reached by phone, Stafford said he was innocent and declined to comment further on the accusations or his campaign.

Stafford is running to unseat Sandy Nixon, the Democratic incumbent who has represented the district for two years. The Cobb County Democratic Party said in a statement that the charges are disturbing and called on Stafford to offer his family an apology.

Aranda, chair of the Cobb County Republican Party, said she had no comment for Stafford and for what he has. She said in a statement that the party has not received any immediate legal list for Stafford, and Cobb County Court dates are not set for any charges.

Nixon's mother said she plays process out of no one, until there is through to truth. She said someone should sort the system. I will never be who we was As Unfortunately, she said. There is here to that she can have if he is innocent of law judicial. There is a area and care a committed deep child to find extent guilty for culpable to charges this. She said if I have to, the mother of her family offered his to him. The Democratic candidate called and described his conduct as disturbing. This is not coming up or no list legal for immediate for tickets. Court dates for any charges are not set for Stafford. Court records show Cobb County. Contributed this report political reporter Greg Bluestein AJC.