Note: This story was updated to note another sign being vandalized, a photo and what sign vandalism the Mt. Juliet Police Department has documented.
Wilson County Republican Party of Tenn. officials are so frustrated with the theft and vandalism of their Donald Trump and JD Vance campaign signs, they’re seeking help from the public — with a cash reward.
The party office is offering a $1,500 reward for information related to multiple cases of vandalism to political signs that promote the Donald Trump and JD Vance ticket in the presidential race.
“It’s happened again and again and again and we’re fed up,” Wilson County Republican Party Chair Brad Lytle said. “It’s happening (elsewhere) … but we think maybe the reward will be enough that someone will turn on them.”
The Wilson County GOP started with a $200 reward, but Lytle said multiple people chipped in to raise the reward to $1,500.
Four of the party’s Trump signs in Mt. Juliet have been vandalized and two have been stolen — one in Lebanon and one in Mt. Juliet, according to Lytle.
Campaign sign thefts are common, prosecutions rare
District Attorney General Jason Lawson confirmed that police are investigating the incidents that include removing the “T” from Trump’s name and spray-painting “Felon” on signs.
Campaign sign theft and vandalism is rampant during election cycles, but it is rarely prosecuted.
The Wilson County Democratic Party has also experienced recent sign vandalism and theft this election year, Chair Derrick Hammond said. For example, the group’s headquarters building at 200 W. Main St. in Lebanon was tagged with numerous Trump stickers leading up to the Aug. 1 primary election.
“It’s a regular occurrence for us as far as candidate signs being stolen or torn down,” Hammond said.
In 2016, Tennessee Rep. Curry Todd, R—Collierville, was arrested for stealing opponent Mark Lovell’s campaign signs after officers received videos that appeared to depict Todd running across a lawn with campaign signs under each arm. Todd argued that he had permission to remove the signs.
Political sign vandalism is classified as a misdemeanor in Tennessee carrying a sentence of up to 11 months and 29 days and a maximum fine of $2,500, Lawson said. Political sign stealing is also classified as a misdemeanor and carries the same penalty.
“Proof can come in a lot of different forms,” Lawson said. “Ultimately the purpose of proof is to show to a jury or judge so that the trier of fact can determine if the accused committed the crime. So, the objective is to review the evidence collected and determine if that proof is sufficient to support a finding of guilt by a trier of fact.”
One 4-by-8 foot Trump sign on Lebanon Road near Dunkin’ Donuts on the west end of the county was spray painted, then fixed, according to Wilson County Republican Party member and former State Senator Mae Beavers.
The same sign was then vandalized again with the letter T in Trump’s name being cut out, party leaders said. Early Tuesday morning it appeared the sign had been defaced again with words spray-painted that included “rapist” and “felon” on the front.
Another sign on the corner of East Division and North Mt. Juliet Road had the word “Felon” painted over the names of Trump and Vance, according to Lytle.
Mt. Juliet police have documented reports of vandalism to nine signs within the city limits since Sept. 16, Deputy Chief Tyler Chandler said in an email.
They are:
- Three signs on commercial property along North Mt. Juliet Rd near Division Street
- Two signs on commercial property at Lebanon Road near Devonshire Drive
- Three signs on residential property along West Division Street
- One sign at a residence in Willoughby Station.
Reach Andy Humbles at ahumbles@tennessean.com or 615-726-5939 and on X, formerly known as Twitter @ AndyHumbles.