(DailyAnswer.org) – A local Democratic Party leader in North Carolina has stepped down after being arrested for allegedly stealing political signs supporting former President Donald Trump.
Lowell Simon, the former chair of the Moore County Democratic Party, also a candidate for the North Carolina House this November, was charged with two counts of misdemeanor larceny. The charges came after he reportedly took political signs from the side of the road.
The Moore County Democratic Party announced Simon’s resignation in a Facebook post on Monday, following his arrest. “After recent allegations and his arrest related to the theft of political signs, Simon has resigned as chair,” the post stated.
According to the Moore County Sheriff’s Office, a deputy noticed Simon taking signs along Seven Lakes Drive around 5:25 p.m. on Thursday. The deputy, while attending to a different matter in the area, followed up at Simon’s home, where the signs were found in his car.
The Sheriff’s Office reported, “Simon admitted to removing the signs, which were returned to their original owner.” An arrest warrant was issued for Simon on Saturday, and he was released under a promise to appear in court. His first hearing is scheduled for October 30.
The local Democratic Party expressed gratitude for Simon’s past efforts but made clear that they don’t support illegal behavior. “While we appreciate his dedication to the Democratic Party and the community, we cannot condone the removal of political signs or any illegal action,” the Facebook post read. Simon apologized for his behavior and offered his resignation, which the party accepted.
Speaking to WRAL, Simon explained that he became frustrated when new signs supporting Trump were placed in front of ones he had set up earlier for Democratic candidate Josh Stein. Stein, currently the state’s attorney general, is running against Republican Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson for governor.
“My worst instincts got the better of me,” Simon admitted. “I shouldn’t have done it. I didn’t sneak around in the middle of the night or anything – I took them in the afternoon.”
This incident adds tension to the political landscape in North Carolina as election season approaches.
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