St. HELENS, Ore. -- A former sheriff’s deputy convicted years ago for raping his children's babysitter failed in his election bid for a position on the St. Helens school board.

Richard Matthews filed for candidacy on March 9. As part of the application process, he was required to disclose his current address, job status, educational background and prior government experience, but nothing more. There was no background check.

However, St. Helens is a small town and word eventually started circulating about Matthews' criminal past.

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Back in 1997, Matthews pleaded guilty to 3rd degree rape for a sexual relationship with his then 15-year-old babysitter that lasted more than a year, according to the original Oregon State Police report. Matthews was 26 at the time and working as a sheriff’s deputy with Columbia County.

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Matthews served 30 days behind bars and three years probation.

Now, ten years later, Matthews lives in the same town where the rape occurred and he wanted to be on the St. Helens school board. He ran against an incumbant, who was also the board chairman, and lost by about 1,000 votes, according to the county clerk's office.

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Columbia County District Attorney Steve Atchison said school board candidates do not have to undergo a criminal background check and Matthews followed all necessary protocol in filing for office.