Supporters of Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump don’t agree on much, but they have found common ground on one fundamental issue – stolen election signs.
“They stole a Trump sign right out of my front yard with my wife watching,” said Ben Nixon, chairman of the Warren County Republican Party. “They didn’t even slow down. They just grabbed it and were gone.”
Nixon, along with Warren County Democratic Party chairman Lee Campbell, say there’s been a large number of presidential signs taken or vandalized in recent weeks as the country gears up for the Nov. 8 election. While there are several local and state races that will also be on the ballot that day, it appears the presidential signs are the favorite of thieves and vandals.
“They are taking the Clinton/Kaine signs and leaving the others,” Campbell said, noting he has seen several instances where signs for the mayor and aldermen races were left untouched while the Clinton sign by them was taken. “I have had several people come to our headquarters for another sign, saying theirs has disappeared.”
 Nixon said, “They are stealing Trump signs left and right.” He noted the thefts of the signs, which cost $3.40 apiece, have left the local GOP with a shortage. “The fair wiped us out but we hope to have new signs coming in soon.”
Nixon said people who want Trump yard signs can see him from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Warren County Republican Headquarters at 1039 Sparta Street on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.
Campbell said those wanting Clinton signs can visit Democratic headquarters downtown at 203 West Main Street near the library.
Sheriff Jackie Matheny and McMinnville Police Chief Bryan Denton said there have been no official reports made concerning sign thefts. Such thefts are a misdemeanor.
Some of the larger vinyl signs, similar to the Jimmy Haley for Mayor sign that was found cut in half this week, can cost $20 or higher.