A convicted pedophile has announced a bid to run for South Dakota governor after Kristi Noem moved on to the Department of Homeland Security.
Terry Gleason, a 44-year-old registered Republican, is running as an independent in next year’s governor race.
He was convicted of raping a 15-year-old girl in 2000, but told KELOLAND News he is innocent and that his status as a sex offender should not keep people from voting for him.
When reached by Daily Mail on Tuesday, Gleason admitted he was dating the 15-year-old when he was 19 years old and spent eight years in prison for it.
‘The worst I did is that I did date the girl, we [had a] four years difference and the police thought I was doing something with her cause we were dating,’ the gubernatorial candidate said on the phone.
‘I pleaded guilty to it, that’s why I’m on the registry, but I did not actually commit the offence.’
Terry Gleason is a convicted pedophile who is running for governor of South Dakota
South Dakota’s governor race next year will be the first since Noem left the office to work lead the Department of Homeland Security
Gleason claimed he and the teen girl actually came up with a scheme for him to be sent to prison after he was diagnosed with lung cancer and could not afford treatment.
Daily Mail could not independently corroborate Gleason’s claims.
The aspiring politician said that he was prepared for his child sexual assaults conviction to emerge when he signed up to run for governor.
‘It makes it difficult… I knew it would,’ he admitted, before adding that he does not regret going to prison.
‘I know it looks bad but one thing is I actually don’t regret going to prison, even though I was sent there on a crime I didn’t commit, because it changed my life and it also gave me insight on the problems that are going on in the prison.’
Gleason said that he wanted to run for governor to serve as an example to others to follow their dreams.
‘To show my kids that even though an independent has little chance to actually win in the state, go for it,’ Gleason told KELOLAND News. ‘If you have a dream, go for it.’
Gleason’s website described him as having a background in community service and being a ‘former manager.’
Gleason spent eight years in prison after being accused of having a relationship with a 15-year-old girl in 2000
He said that if elected, he will focus on inclusivity and tackle drug trafficking.
‘We should all have the same rights,’ Gleason said. ‘We’re all human. We’re all South Dakotans and just wanting to live our life happy. That’s one of my biggest deals.’
South Dakota’s governor race next year will be the first since Noem left the office to lead the Department of Homeland Security.
The office has been filled since January by current governor Larry Rhoden, who was Noem’s Lieutenant governor.
