Two GOP Candidates Arrested on Sex Crime Charges Could Win Their Races

Two GOP candidates standing in elections have been arrested on charges of sexual crimes but could still go on to win their races.

Republican State Senate candidate Joel Koskan was arrested on November 3 and has been charged with felony child abuse following allegations that he groomed, molested and raped a female member of his family, according to reports.

In Arizona, Republican candidate for the Maricopa County Community College District's governing board, Randy Kaufman, was arrested and charged with public sexual indecency after he was allegedly found masturbating near a preschool on October 4.

Koskan was charged in Mellette County with exposing the child to "sexual grooming behaviors" after the Assistant Attorney General Mandy Miller reviewed an investigation conducted by the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, according to a Fox News report.

He allegedly groomed and abused the girl for at least six years starting in 2014, when she was 12 years old.

According to a Dakota News Now report, in court documents that were obtained by the publication, the allegations against Koskan came to light after the victim revealed to a friend the extent of the alleged abuse she had sustained over several years.

The friend then reported this information to her father, who is a retired detective chief inspector. If convicted, Koskan could face up to 10 years in prison and fines of up to $20,000.

Koskan's campaign website has since been set to private and his Twitter account is no longer active.

However, he has not yet withdrawn his candidacy in the race against Democrat State Representative Shawn Bordeaux. This would mean it is still possible for voters to choose him on the ballot.

The South Dakota GOP Chairman Dan Lederman has condemned Koskan and highlighted his hope that the justice system prevails, according to the Fox News report.

Lederman said: "The allegation against Joel Koskan is very serious, and the South Dakota Republican Party unequivocally opposes child abuse in all forms.

"The South Dakota Republican Party trusts the justice system to work through the allegation."

Lederman told Newsweek, "The South Dakota Republican Party calls upon Joel Koskan to suspend all campaign activities immediately and demands that he commit to not taking office in the event that he wins. Our party stands firmly against child abuse of any kind. We are shocked by the charges. This does not represent anything the party stands for."

The other GOP candidate, Randy Kaufman, following his charge, announced that he would be suspending his campaign.

"I am announcing that I am suspending my campaign for Maricopa County Community College District. A personal legal matter has recently arisen, and I need to step out of the race to focus on personal affairs," the statement said.

"I am sincerely grateful for the supporters and friends I have gathered throughout the campaign. I will never stop fighting to protect the United States Constitution and the values that make America the greatest country in the world."

Following Kaufman's arrest, the Maricopa County Recorder's and Elections Department said it was too late for his name to be removed from the ballot. County elections officials have also said they did not receive a statement of withdrawal from Kaufman.

In addition to this, some voters had already cast their ballots and would not be able to change their votes if they so wished.

Newsweek has contacted the Maricopa Community Colleges Police Department, Arizona GOP and the South Dakota Republican Party for comment.