Defaced political sign has both sides angry
A sign for Republican gubernatorial candidate Ron DeSantis has been defaced in Cape Coral, an action decried by both major political parties.
Located on the main intersection of Veterans and Del Prado in front of the Midpoint Bridge onramp, the sign has a gaping hole gouged out where DeSantis’ running mate’s name, “Nunez” for Jeanette Nunez, is no longer visible.
Field staffers in the DeSantis Fort Myers Regional campaign office were made aware of the sign issue Thursday this morning.
Jonathan Martin, chairman of the Lee County Republican Executive Committee submitted a statement with regard to the defaced DeSantis sign.
“The Republican Party stands against vandalism and for the rule of law. We believe that the all-important right protected by our Constitution for an individual to freely speak their mind must be vigorously protected. We encourage all who agree or disagree to engage in civil debate in an effort to make our Country better in order to further our cause for Liberty.”
Local leaders in the Democratic Party took a similar view.
“We don’t condone any violence on political signs,” said Yoseph Tedros, the chairman of the Lee County Democratic Committee. “It’s unfortunate in these highly tension times that these things happen, and people need to respect the political process, even if they disagree with the person who’s running.”
While Tedros is not in support of DeSantis, he criticized the attack on the campaign.
“I would tell them is go home,” he said of the vandal. “If you want to change the political climate, talk to people into supporting the party you want. That’s how you make change. Defacing signs does not help change. It’s get involved, get people to vote, get your neighbors to vote. That’s how you make change. Not by defacing signs.”
When asked if he believes that the vandalism on the DeSantis sign could actually provoke more local Republicans to come out and vote, he said the vandalism could do more harm to the Andrew Gillum campaign than good.
“It absolutely has an opposite effect. Absolutely,” he said.