39th District State Senator Val Stevens (R-Arlington), called the burning of her campaign signs “senseless vandalism which has no place in the political process.” Stevens, who is running for her fourth term in the State Senate, lives in Arlington with her husband, Keith.
It was Keith Stevens who filed a malicious mischief complaint with the Skagit Valley Sheriff’s Department about the sign burning. The vandalism occurred to signs in southern Skagit County in the area of Old Pacific Highway near County Line Road according to the Senator’s husband.
Senator Stevens said, “Sometimes kids will knock over campaign signs especially as it gets closer to Halloween. But in this case, my signs have been deliberately set on fire.” She added, “This appears to be specifically directed at me because signs of other candidates in the same vicinity are being left alone.” She released photos of several of her signs which have been burned.
Stevens called destruction of these signs, “not only vandalism but an infringement on the right of political free speech as well.” She said, “Campaign signs help voters become more aware of the political process so they can make more intelligent choices when marking their ballots.” She continued, “By burning my signs, those responsible for this vandalism are not only hurting my campaign, they are attacking the integrity of the election process itself.”
