Democratic Chair in North Carolina County Steps Down After Removing Trump Campaign Signs

Resignation After Campaign Sign Removal

The head of the Moore County Democratic Party in North Carolina has stepped down from his position following his arrest for removing 2024 campaign signs in support of the Republican presidential candidate and former President Donald Trump.

Details of the Incident

On October 11, the Moore County Sheriff’s Office released a statement stating that a deputy working in the West End area had noticed Lowell Evan Simon, the then-chair, removing campaign signs from the roadside along Seven Lakes Drive in the West End area. The deputy, who was responding to a separate call at the time, later visited Simon’s residence where the signs were discovered in his vehicle. According to the sheriff’s office, Simon confessed to removing the signs, which were subsequently recovered and returned to their original owner. Simon was issued a warrant for his arrest on two counts of misdemeanor larceny of political signs. He was later released on a written promise to appear in Moore County District Court on October 30.

Legal Implications

In North Carolina, the removal or theft of campaign signs is against the law, which protects the lawful placement of political signs during an election cycle. Violation of this law is considered a Class 3 misdemeanor, which can result in up to 30 days in jail, a fine of up to $500, and up to a year of probation.

Resignation and Apology

On October 15, the Moore County Democratic Party announced that Simon, 68, had tendered his resignation and apologized for his actions, both of which were accepted by the party. The party stated, “While we appreciate the hard work and dedication he has shown to the Democratic Party and the community, the Moore County Democratic Party cannot and will not condone the tampering of political signs or any other illegal activity. We believe in the importance of freedom of expression and speech, and hope that local law enforcement will continue to enforce such laws that protect those freedoms fairly and without bias across party lines.”

Simon's Statement

Simon, who is also a candidate for the state House of Representatives, told local radio station WRL that he removed the signs because they were placed in front of his own, obscuring them from view. He admitted that this ongoing issue led him to act impulsively. He stated, “My worse angels got the better of me and I removed the signs. I shouldn’t have done that. I didn’t do it in the stealth of night or anything. I did it when it was 5 o'clock in the afternoon.”

Bottom Line

This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of respecting the freedom of political expression, even in the heat of an election cycle. It's a lesson in the consequences of letting frustration get the better of one's judgment. What are your thoughts on this incident? Feel free to share this article with your friends. Don't forget to sign up for the Daily Briefing, which is available every day at 6pm.