ATLANTA  — A Republican candidate for Georgia attorney general acknowledged today an extramarital affair with a former staffer, but said the relationship began after the woman was no longer an employee.

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AP

Republican Attorney General candidate Preston Smith participates in a debate against Sam Olens at the Holiday Inn & Suites in Dalton, Ga., Saturday, July 24, 2010.

State Sen. Preston Smith said the woman left his office in 2003 and that their personal relationship started in 2004. He added he has never dated anyone employed by his office or campaign.

"I can say, and I guess this is the key point, that I have not dated anyone that was under my employ," Smith said in a telephone interview with The Associated Press. "No one who was working with me was in any kind of dating relationship."

Legislative records show the woman received her last payment from Smith's office in December 2003. Finance records also show the woman received a $400 payment that year from Smith's campaign.

A message left with the woman was not immediately returned.

The lawmaker acknowledged the relationship during a divorce hearing last year. He said he has had failings in his personal life but believes he is the best candidate for attorney general.

"In hindsight, I would make different decisions," Smith said. "I did fall short in my personal life by getting a divorce. People can judge me on that if they want to."

Smith is in an Aug. 10 runoff against fellow Republican Sam Olens. The winner will face Democrat Ken Hodges in November.