HOOD COUNTY, Texas — A Texas Republican city council candidate in Hood County was charged with two counts of possession of child pornography just one day before Election Day.

What You Need To Know

  • A Texas GOP candidate for Granbury City Council, Brad Benson, was charged with two counts of possession of child pornography one day before Election Day
  • The Hood County Republican Party released several statements withdrawing support for Benson's campaign 

  • He is being held on a $200,000 bond, according to court records
  • Benson had previously served on the Hood County CrimeStoppers Board

Brad Benson was in the running for a seat on the Granbury City Council. According to Hood County News, Benson’s home was raided on the morning of Monday, Nov. 6 — just one day before voters would decide whether to elect him to a city council position.

On Tuesday, the Hood County Republican Party released several statements from its Facebook account on the arrest, denouncing the crime and withdrawing support for him.

“We have just learned that longtime community member, Deputy Fire Marshal, Lifetime Member of the Granbury Volunteer Fire Department, small businessman and City Council candidate Brad Benson was taken into custody by law enforcement this morning,” the statement reads. “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 page then put out an updated statement later that day.

“Our original statement was made based upon the information made available at that time. Since that statement, the Executive committee has conferred, spoken with law enforcement, confirmed more substantial information and unanimously withdraws their support for Mr. Benson,” the statement reads. “Crimes of this degree tear at the heart and soul of society, and we condemn them in the strongest terms. The Republican Party stands for conservative, family values and the protection of children. These heinous acts are antithetical to what Republicans stand for.”

Benson is currently being held on a $200,000 bond, according to court records.

According to Benson's campaign website, he has been heavily involved with the Granbury community, serving on several boards including the Hood County CrimeStoppers Board, "working alongside law enforcement to use anonymous tips to help solve crimes in Hood County."