Candidate speak on stolen campaign signs

County commission candidates in Montrose are speaking out about missing and vandalized campaign signs.

They say whoever is responsible isn't just hurting their campaigns, they're violating each candidate's first amendment rights.

"I lost twelve in one day this week,” David White, Republican Candidate for District 3, said. “At that rate we're going to be down to nothing"

This time of year campaign signs are just about everywhere.

Hundreds of dollars go into making these signs and when they go missing local candidates feel the pinch.

Republican David White is running for a commissioner seat in District 3, already he's lost dozens of signs.

"Literally, we've had some that have been run over but the majority of them just turn up missing,” White said.

His campaign is financed by small donors, and now he is having to ask them for more money to replace the disappearing signs.

White agrees with his opponents who say whoever is taking them doesn't value their first amendment rights.

"It affects all the political candidates, everything from the president to the congressional race to the local commissioner race," White explained.

Kjersten Davis, Democratic candidate for District 3, says, "Yard signs are a form of free speech and it shows disrespect to be taking those down. I think it’s also a distraction. It’s distracting from the real issues of the campaign and kind of just taking it down to juvenile pranks."

Juli Messenger, District 3’s unaffiliated candidate, says she's hopeful those responsible for removing any political sign will find better things to do with their time.

"There are a variety of non profit organizations that they could volunteer their time with,” Messenger said. “That would be more beneficial."

Messing with campaign signs is against the law.

It can result in charges like theft, vandalism, and even criminal mischief.