Robert Foster, Republican Running for Mississippi Governor, Says Female Journalist Can’t Shadow him Unless She’s Accompanied by Male Colleague Due to ‘Billy Graham Rule’

Robert Foster

A Republican candidate for Mississippi governor has refused to be interviewed by a female journalist unless she brings along a male colleague. Mississippi Today journalist Larrison Campbell said she requested to accompany candidate Robert Foster on a 15-hour “ride along” campaign trip ahead of the August 6 primary, but was denied because she is a woman.

According to Campbell, Foster’s campaign director, Colton Robison, said she could not be alone in a car with Foster because “they believed the optics of the candidate with a woman, even a working reporter, could be used in a smear campaign to insinuate an extramarital affair.”

Robison apparently told her the campaign “can’t risk it” this close to the primary. They repeatedly told her they were worried about a smear campaign against Foster.

Before our decision to run, my wife and I made a commitment to follow the “Billy Graham Rule”, which is to avoid any situation that may evoke suspicion or compromise of our marriage. I am sorry Ms. Campbell doesn’t share these views, but my decision was out of respect of my wife. https://t.co/5tjH2x2g65

— Robert Foster (@RobertFoster4MS) July 10, 2019

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SOURCE: SOPHIE LEWIS, CBS News