Ray McBerry, GA Gubernatorial Hopeful to Stay in the Race Amid Allegations of Inappropriate Sexual Contact with 16 Y.O. Girl

Republican gubernatorial hopeful Ray McBerry is determined to remain in race despite allegations of inapropriate sexual conduct with a minor.

Republican gubernatorial hopeful Ray McBerry said he is still running for governor despite being dogged by character questions over an inappropriate sexual relationship with Rachel Gandee in 2002 when she was 16 years old. Why should we allow someone with sexual misconduct accusations in any political race? He has denied the allegations and said he was being smeared by the media and "moderate" Republicans who fear the popularity of this "conservative" compaign, the Atlanta Journal Constitution said. Really? Where is the personal responsibility he shoulders in this mess? Ray McBerry should withdraw from the governors' race for obvious reasons.

According to the AJC, Rachel Gandee, now 24, said she had a "childish crush" on McBerry in 2002 and fell into a sexual relationship with him. She was of the legal age of consent. At the press conference, McBerry said he was guilty only of being "a good person who was "naive and trusting " of his accuser's family. Seems to me that if he was such a morally upright person, he would have chided Rachel Gandee and even told her parents about her behavior. But we all know that the perpetrator always blames the victim.

The reality is that Ray McBerry has no place in any political office in this country.  Ray McBerry's campaign is a soap opera that literally makes the stomach turn. Why he is invited to GOP events is beyond me. I will echo gubernatorial candidate Karen Handel's statement that Ray McBerry doesn't represent the values of Georgians, in general. He continues to campaign as though these allegations are patently false. It is unsettling to learn that he won a straw poll in LaGrange last Thursday. The other candidates -- Karen Handel, Nathan Deal, Eric Johnson and John Oxendine should refuse to appear in any forum with Mr. McBerry.

H/T to Deanna Berry. Join Facebook Group, Truth & Justice