61 Days to Decide: Ohio Senate Candidate Indicted for 'Sexual Conduct' With Minor

A long-shot Senate candidate who claims he has the support of the Tea Party was indicted on a sex charge this week, an accusation he calls "politically motivated."

Eric Deaton, a Constitution Party candidate for the open seat in Ohio left by retiring Sen. George Voinovich, was accused in an indictment unsealed Tuesday of engaging in "sexual conduct" with a minor between 13 and 15 years old. The alleged incident occurred between 2006 and 2007.

The court documents do not go into detail, but Deaton blamed the charge on his decision to run, according to the Dayton Daily News.

"The powers that be don't like that," he said.

Deaton reportedly plans to stay in the race, though he was a dark horse before the sex charge.

The candidate would face off against Republican Rob Portman, former White House budget director, and Democratic Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher, as well as several other third-party candidates.

Deaton, who is married and has three children, claims Tea Party support on his website. The electrical engineer says on his site that "it's time for people of integrity" to serve in office.