GRANBURY, Texas — A Granbury city council candidate was arrested on charges of possession of child pornography the day before the election, officials said.
Brad Benson, 44, was booked into the Hood County Jail on two first-degree felony counts of possession of child pornography, according to jail records.
County authorities confirmed Benson was arrested Monday morning and that his bail was set at $100,000 for each charge. He was still in custody Tuesday afternoon.
More information about the charges and the case was not released.
Benson, a Republican who was not a councilmember but was running for Granbury's city council Place 4, finished third in his election, receiving 26.69% of the vote (623 total), according to the latest results Wednesday morning.
Gary Overdier was leading the race with 45.93% of the vote (1,072 total), while Charles Beard was in second place at 27.38% (639 total).
The Republican Party of Hood County released a statement Monday about Benson's arrest, saying they were "notified of the law enforcement operation involving" him and were withdrawing their support of him as a candidate.
"Crimes of this degree tear at the heart and soul of society, and we condemn them in the strongest terms," the statement said. "The Republican Party stands for conservative, family values and the protection of children. These heinous acts are antithetical to what Republicans stand for."
The Republican Party of Hood County's statement said Benson is a deputy fire marshal, volunteer firefighter and small businessman. More information about Benson was not yet available.
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