Journalist says she was denied access to governor candidate because she’s a woman

Larrison Campbell, a reporter for the nonprofit Mississippi Today, says she was denied access to a political candidate because she’s a woman — and the potential “optics” of such an arrangement.

Campbell was denied a 15-hour campaign “ride along” by republican gubernatorial candidate Robert Foster.

Foster’s campaign director Colton Robison reportedly told Campbell a male reporter would need to accompany her — because of the possibility of “a smear campaign to insinuate an extramarital affair.”

Campbell’s male colleague Adam Ganucheau was granted ride alongs with the opposing Republican candidates Bill Waller and Tate Reeves.