Vandals deface home of N.J. congressional candidate
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The home of a Central New Jersey candidate for Congress has been defaced twice with spray-painted hate symbols.
In less than a week, someone painted the home and sidewalk of Democratic congressional candidate Peter Jacob with swastikas.
Jacob, who is running for office in a district that stretches from Hunterdon County river towns to Union County, said he was shocked to find his home vandalized.
“I live in a safe clean neighborhood, good neighbors, great community,” said Jacob. “I grew up in this town, we consider it our town — our home, our community. We have nothing but love hope and forgiveness in our hearts.” Jacob, the son of Indian immigrants, said he has no idea who is behind the vandalism, but he blames the political environment encouraged by Donald Trump. “His language, his actions, his behavior — that’s really enabled that this is really normal and acceptable, when it’s really not,” he said.Jacob’s opponent, incumbent Republican Congressman Leonard Lance, called the incident abhorrent. Jacob said he’s installed a high-tech security system to deter the vandals from returning.
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