Randy Kaufman, a Republican candidate for the governing board of the Maricopa County Community College District, Arizona, suspended his campaign on Tuesday, October 18, after the media reported his arrest on October 4 on a charge of public sexual indecency.
Kaufman was seen masturbating in his truck in the parking lot of the Río Salado Permanent Learning Center, in Surprise, according to a police report from Maricopa County Community College Police, according to NBC 12. And it was parked near a preschool.
“(Kaufman) appeared to be looking at a cell phone in one hand. I was immediately alarmed when I saw that (he) had his pants down to mid-thigh,” the police report says.
The arresting officer says he saw someone on a bike just eight feet away and preschool children playing outside at a nearby daycare center.
Kaufman told the officer, “I screwed up. I am very stressed”.
The police report says the case has been referred to the Maricopa County Prosecutor’s Office for a decision on charging.
12News has learned that Kaufman could face a possible felony charge due to his proximity to a child care facility.
In a statement to 12News, Kaufman said Tuesday that he was suspending his campaign for the governing board due to a “personal legal matter.”
“I am sincerely grateful for the supporters and friends I have gathered throughout the campaign,” Kaufman said. “I will never stop fighting to protect the United States Constitution and the values that make America the greatest country in the world.”
The Maricopa County Elections Department reported that they have not received an official Withdrawal Statement of Kaufmann. Without the signed and notarized document, Randy Kaufman remains an active candidate and his votes will be counted in the November election.
A department spokeswoman said that even if Kaufman files an official Declaration of Withdrawal, it is already too late to remove his name from the ballot.