Candidate’s Rape ‘Joke’ Causes Stir

ALPINE, Tex. —  Republican gubernatorial candidate Clayton W. Williams, preparing for a cattle roundup at his ranch Saturday, compared the rainy, cold weather spoiling the event to a rape. “If it’s inevitable, just relax and enjoy it,” Williams said to ranch hands and reporters.

Williams later apologized and said: “That’s just a joke . . . . It wasn’t a serious statement.”

Williams will face state Treasurer Ann Richards or Atty. Gen. Jim Mattox in the November general election after one of them wins an April 10 Democratic runoff.

“Just because you’re in the barnyard doesn’t mean you have to act like Clayton Williams does,” Mattox said.

Richards’ spokesman, Monte Williams, said: “It’s unfortunate and disturbing that the Republican nominee would joke about violence against women. It’s an insensitive and reprehensible remark.”