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Vandals target campaign signs, headquarters ahead of election

Democrats, Republicans aren't concerned
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Posted at 6:10 PM, Nov 07, 2016
and last updated 2016-11-07 18:29:42-05

As voters prepare to hit the polls, someone vandalized the Republican campaign headquarters in Wicomico County. 

Staffers and supporters say damaging signs is only inspiring the other side to get out to vote. 

In a way, staffers call it the latest example of this election.

"We've had no issues in Baltimore County as far as vandalism of our offices or any of the cars in our parking spots," Robbie Leonard, the chair of the Baltimore County Democratic Central Committee, said. 

He said he has seen the reports of damaged sings and headquarters across the state, but not near him. 

He has heard of stolen signs. 

"Yes there have been some Clinton signs that disappear. I've received a few phone calls from Catonsville to Timonium where people had a Clinton/Kaine yard sign and asked for a second one after theirs was mysteriously taken from their yard," Leoanrd said. 

A mystery that goes beyond the county. Last month, Trump campaign signs were damaged in Ellicott City. 

"I don't have to worry about it, but I tell you the truth I never dreamed that would happen. I mean this is a major highway. There's cars that come by here in the middle of the day," Bill Iampieri, a Trump supporter whose sign was damaged, said in an interview with ABC 2 News in October. 

Leonard says it's one stain on the election, he'd like to clean up. 

"I think people are trying to turn that negativity into something positive by doing what they can to get out to vote," he said. 

He adds while replacing signs can be expensive, it should bring people to the polls. 

"I think people are trying to turn that negativity into something positive by doing what they can to get out to vote," Leonard said. 

While most police departments had little to no reported incidents, Howard County's Police Department reports they've had more than 30 incidents of stolen or damaged signs since the beginning of September.

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