GOP having fun with vandalized campaign signs
HOQUIAM, Wash. -- Most heated political races lead to some sort of vandalism, but few vandals seem to be as happy as those in Grays Harbor County.
Throughout the county, gubernatorial candidate Rob McKenna's campaign signs have been targeted by spray paint wielding vandals. But instead of writing obscene or political statements, the vandals are marking the signs with smiley faces and hearts.
Instead of getting upset by the graffiti, McKenna supporters are embracing it.
"We don't know who did it. We don't know what they meant by it, but the local supporters have embraced it," said Scott Dilley with the McKenna campaign.
Charley Quigg owns land that was targeted by the vandals. He doesn't know who left the messages, but he thinks it was either teenagers or liberal activists.
"It's not offensive," Quigg said. "It's just kind of maybe a little political fun, I suppose."
While nobody wants their signs vandalized, Dilley said the campaign is taking lemons and making lemonade. The local Republican party has gone as far as using photos of the vandalized signs on t-shirt they're now selling for $15.
"It sure has given the Rob McKenna campaign a lot of extra publicity," said Kristine Lowder, chairwoman of the Grays Harbor GOP. "It's an eye catcher. Don't you think it is more interesting than signs with just words on them? Here you have additional artwork."
While they're taking advantage of the graffiti, local Republicans did report that vandalism to the Aberdeen and Hoquiam police. The Grays Harbor sheriff's office is also investigating.
Throughout the county, gubernatorial candidate Rob McKenna's campaign signs have been targeted by spray paint wielding vandals. But instead of writing obscene or political statements, the vandals are marking the signs with smiley faces and hearts.
Instead of getting upset by the graffiti, McKenna supporters are embracing it.
"We don't know who did it. We don't know what they meant by it, but the local supporters have embraced it," said Scott Dilley with the McKenna campaign.
Charley Quigg owns land that was targeted by the vandals. He doesn't know who left the messages, but he thinks it was either teenagers or liberal activists.
"It's not offensive," Quigg said. "It's just kind of maybe a little political fun, I suppose."
While nobody wants their signs vandalized, Dilley said the campaign is taking lemons and making lemonade. The local Republican party has gone as far as using photos of the vandalized signs on t-shirt they're now selling for $15.
"It sure has given the Rob McKenna campaign a lot of extra publicity," said Kristine Lowder, chairwoman of the Grays Harbor GOP. "It's an eye catcher. Don't you think it is more interesting than signs with just words on them? Here you have additional artwork."
While they're taking advantage of the graffiti, local Republicans did report that vandalism to the Aberdeen and Hoquiam police. The Grays Harbor sheriff's office is also investigating.
