Franklin Graham weighs in on Robert Foster: 'It's just common sense'

Mississippi Clarion Ledger

The Rev. Franklin Graham weighed in on a Mississippi gubernatorial candidate's decision to not allow a female reporter to follow with him on the campaign trail without a male colleague.

Monday morning, Graham, the son of the late Rev. Billy Graham and a spiritual advisor to President Donald Trump, voiced his support for state Rep. Robert Foster, saying the gubernatorial candidate exercised "common sense" when choosing not to allow a female reporter to follow him on the campaign trail without a male colleague tagging along.

Earlier this month, Foster's campaign told a female reporter, Larrison Campbell, that she would not be allowed to accompany Foster on a 15-hour campaign trip. Foster's campaign manager, Colton Robison, initially told Campbell that she couldn't ride with the candidate in case trackers for other campaigns took a picture of the two together and alleged an extramarital affair, Campbell reported. Then Foster said he and his wife follow the "Billy Graham Rule" and cannot be alone with a member of the opposite sex. The story quickly went viral.

The Rev. Franklin Graham said Republican Rep. Robert Foster used "common sense" in not allowing himself to be alone with a female reporter. Foster's decision to refuse to allow a female reporter to shadow him caused an uproar. The reporter did not request that they be alone for any part of the interview.

In the post, Graham asked his followers their thoughts on the matter. As of late Monday morning, it had over 11,000 comments.

"Some critics are upset and are calling the 'Billy Graham Rule' sexist, but I believe it’s just common sense, and I appreciate Robert Foster’s desire to honor his wife," Graham wrote. "I think this couple is wise to try to protect their marriage. What about you?"

Foster is facing Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves and former state Supreme Court Chief Justice Bill Waller in the Republican primary. Political observers don't give Foster much of a chance of winning but believe he could draw enough votes to be a spoiler and throw the primary into a runoff.

Gubernatorial candidate Bill Waller also said he abides by the Billy Graham rule. Reeves has not commented on the situation.

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Contact Sarah Fowler at 601-961-7303 or sfowler@gannett.com. Follow her on Facebook and Twitter.