NEWS

Wicomico GOP HQ vandalized with vulgar spray paint

Gino Fanelli
gfanelli@dmg.gannett.com
Vandalism at the Wicomico Republican Headquarters in Salisbury.

The Wicomico Republican headquarters in Salisbury was vandalized with spray paint overnight, just days before Election Day.

In the early morning hours of Saturday, Nov. 5, messages appeared on the front glass and face of the building, including statements such as "F--- Trump" and Xs through campaign signs for Republican Senate candidate Kathy Szeglia.

Shawn Jester, president of the Wicomico County Republicans, said the incident occurred around 1 a.m., and covered much of the glass on the front of the building.

"We called it in around 8, and thankfully we were able to get it cleaned up pretty quickly," Jester said. "We didn't want people to see that."

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Jester said that other messages on the wall included the beginning of the word he thought to be "homophobe," cut off after the first three syllables where the spray paint reached the edge of the window.

"It's really a shame," Jester said. "It's not much, but it takes away money out of the club's pockets, money donated by local citizens that could be used towards the candidates and our ideals."

Jester said the total cost of the clean up came in at around $200. While Jester said that it wasn't a substantial amount, any money from the club not put into political aims is squandered.

"This isn't Republicans' money, or Donald Trump's money," Jester said. "This is money donated by local citizens that is being wasted by someone who thought the best way to show their displeasure with campaigns, was to vandalize."

As of midday Saturday, there were no suspects in the incident.