Delaware state Senator’s husband arrested for stealing signs

 This still from video posted on YouTube shows a man taking Republican signs. (YouTube)

This still from video posted on YouTube shows a man taking Republican signs. (YouTube)

Democratic state Senator Bethany Hall-Long’s husband was arrested for stealing campaign signs encouraging voters to vote Republican.

In a video posted on YouTube, Dana Armon Long of Middletown can be seen taking the “Vote Republican” signs from the side of the road. Several men who noticed signs disappearing overnight staked out the area with a video camera in an attempt to catch the thief.

“My husband is the man depicted in the video,” said Sen. Hall-Long in a statement. “The video shows him removing a handful of signs this morning.  He turned them over to the Democratic Party and asked that they be returned to the Republican Party about six hours after they were taken up.”

Hall-Long is running for reelection to the seat she’s held since 2008. She was first elected to the state House in 2003. She said she was unaware of her husband’s actions. “I was not aware that he had allowed his frustration over the campaign attacks to get the better of him.  Of course I’m disappointed and wish that it had not happened.”

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The signs had a generic Republican message and did not mention Hall-Long’s GOP challenger John Marino. “It’s sad the Democrats can’t run honest campaigns,” said Delaware GOP executive director John Fluharty.

John Daniello, head of the Delaware Democratic Party, said sign stealing is an endemic problem and not the work of just one party. “This is not a Republican or Democratic issue—this is a campaign issue happening by all Parties, and it must end,” Daniello said in a statement.

“Each campaign season, we deal with candidates removing their opponents signs. This behavior is absolutely unacceptable. There are more positive ways in which to support your candidate regardless of party affiliation,” Daniello said.

Dana Long was released on bond. The theft charge he’s facing is a misdemeanor that could result in a year in prison plus fines.

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