Authorities say recent acts of vandalism against Silverman campaign signs most likely random

Someone is vandalizing Silverman’s campaign signs used in his run for Montgomery County executive, campaign political director Chuck Westover said Friday.

On Wednesday, someone vandalized signs by painting one to read “Silverman 4 punk” and adding the word “whore” to another, according to his campaign staff. The latter sign was located outside the Cabin John Shopping Center. It has been removed at the request of the shopping center’s owner, Westover said.

“We started getting calls about 5 a.m., 6 a.m. as people were going to work,” Westover said. “The vulgarity is a little much.”

There have been at least eight incidents in the past month, according to the campaign. A sign was burned in one case, and one supporter had at least three signs destroyed.

In another incident Aug. 11, someone scratched out Silverman’s name and replaced it with that of his main primary opponent, Ike Leggett, Westover said.

Leggett campaign spokesman Jonathan Sack did not return a phone call Friday seeking comment on the reported vandalism.

Police said the incidents are likely random acts. They do not typically track such cases, Lt. Eric Burnett said.

“It’s just like any other vandalism,” Burnett said. “I don’t know if its something targeting this candidate. It does happen from time to time. I’m sure signs all year get vandalized that we don’t ever hear about.”