A GOP-backed Arizona college board candidate, who once said he wanted to protect children from 'the progressive left,' was charged for masturbating near a preschool, according to a police report

A Republican-backed Arizona college board district candidate was charged with public sexual indecency after police said he masturbated less than 200 feet away from a preschool.

According to a police report, Randy Kaufman was charged after he was confronted by a campus police officer. Due to his proximity to the school, he could be charged with a felony.

Kaufman did not reply to the request.

Kaufman was seeking an elected position at the college where the incident happened.

Kaufman's nude penis was shown to the campus officer when he first saw Kaufman in the front driver's seat of a truck.

Kaufman was "engrossed in his activity and did not see the officer", according to the report.

There was a person riding a bicycle just eight feet away from the truck and several preschool age children playing in the playground just south of the college campus.

Kaufman apologized to the officer. I made a bad mistake. I'm not doing well.

Kaufman claimed that he didn't notice the preschool until the officer asked him to look around, according to the report.

Don't you notice how bad that is? The officer said that there are children nearby, people passing on bikes and in cars where they can see what you're doing.

Kaufman said in a statement that he would be suspending his campaign.

Kaufman did not withdraw his name as of Tuesday night according to an official for the recorder's office. The votes for Kaufman will be counted until he officially withdraws.

The candidate told The Arizona Republic that he was a fiscal conservative who believed in small government and low taxes.

Kaufman wrote about keeping his children protected from the progressive left in a now- deleted post.

The Republican Liberty Caucus of Arizona was one of the local Republican groups that supported Kaufman. The RLC withdrew its endorsement of Kaufman on Tuesday, according to Ben Beckhart.

The Republican Party of Arizona said in a statement that every American has the right to be treated fairly in the judicial system. Due process and the consitution are respected by the Republican Party of Arizona We agree with Mr. Kaufman's decision to stop campaigning.