FAST FACTS:
(Memphis 7/20/2010) Throughout parts of Memphis and Shelby County, call them casualties of the campaign trail.
They are campaign signs that vandals have pulled up, damaged and even destroyed.
The problem has turned into a war of words between Democrats and Republicans.
Van Turner is chairman of the Shelby County Democratic Party.
He says he has an idea who's the vandalized signs, "One would know that this is a person with the Republican Party or a Republican Party sympathizer."
Turner sent out a letter accusing Republicans of tearing down signs.
Democrats are even offering a cash reward for footage of violators, and they will have the violators prosecuted.
Turner said, "In my press release I asked for footage, for license tags, if you've seen these people to let us know so we can report them to the authorities. It's not right for anyone to tear down these signs."
Lang Wiseman heads the Shelby County Republican Party.
He says don't blame the GOP.
Wiseman said, "Van Turner is a friend of mine. I saw his press release and frankly I'm a little disappointed to make it an issue as if it is one side or another."
Wiseman says signs belonging to Republican candidates have also turned up damaged or missing as well.
He says it's happening to both Republicans and Democrats.
Wiseman said, "People are waking up in the morning finding that their Bill Oldham sign is gone or that their Rolando Toyos sign is gone and it happens on both sides. It's a bit disingenuous to pretend like it's something that doesn't happen. It happens all over the place and every election season."
- Campaign Signs Are Damaged & Destroyed in Memphis & Shelby County
- Democrats Offer A Cash Reward To Catch Violators
- Republicans Say It's A Problem For Both Parties
(Memphis 7/20/2010) Throughout parts of Memphis and Shelby County, call them casualties of the campaign trail.
They are campaign signs that vandals have pulled up, damaged and even destroyed.
The problem has turned into a war of words between Democrats and Republicans.
Van Turner is chairman of the Shelby County Democratic Party.
He says he has an idea who's the vandalized signs, "One would know that this is a person with the Republican Party or a Republican Party sympathizer."
Turner sent out a letter accusing Republicans of tearing down signs.
Democrats are even offering a cash reward for footage of violators, and they will have the violators prosecuted.
Turner said, "In my press release I asked for footage, for license tags, if you've seen these people to let us know so we can report them to the authorities. It's not right for anyone to tear down these signs."
Lang Wiseman heads the Shelby County Republican Party.
He says don't blame the GOP.
Wiseman said, "Van Turner is a friend of mine. I saw his press release and frankly I'm a little disappointed to make it an issue as if it is one side or another."
Wiseman says signs belonging to Republican candidates have also turned up damaged or missing as well.
He says it's happening to both Republicans and Democrats.
Wiseman said, "People are waking up in the morning finding that their Bill Oldham sign is gone or that their Rolando Toyos sign is gone and it happens on both sides. It's a bit disingenuous to pretend like it's something that doesn't happen. It happens all over the place and every election season."
