Candidate loses campaign signs in San Luis to thieves
SAN LUIS, Ariz. – Rafael Torres is facing the problems of candidates in past elections who have had their campaign signs stolen or vandalized.
Seven of the incumbent constable’s signs were gone within two days after he posted them recently in San Luis.
State law makes it a Class 2 misdemeanor to remove, alter or deface a campaign sign without the candidate’s consent.
Torres, a Democrat seeking a second term as constable for justice of the peace Precinct 2, lost five signs placed at various locations around San Luis, plus two more of larger dimensions posted in the city’s downtown area next to the border.
All seven were posted July 11 and gone by July 13, the day he reported the thefts to the San Luis Police Department.
“I wonder if (the sign thieves) don’t understand that that’s a crime. If those who did it do know that, then it’s disheartening that politics continue to be the way they are in San Luis,” said Torres, a former city councilman in San Luis.
The constable’s duties include notifying people of hearing dates in Justice Court and orders issued by the judge.
Torres, who faces an opponent in the Aug. 28 primary election, says he remains unfazed by the thefts.
“The only thing they’ve done is motivate me to work harder in my campaign.”