Candidate Vows To "Stay Positive" In Light Of Negative Targeting
Vandalized Campaign Sign On Old Cordova Road
The Easton Gazette has reported over the past month that Board Candidate Mike Butler, who is running against incumbent Emily Jackson, has been singled out and targeted by the Talbot County Public Schools because he is running. Here are the two stories about that:
Confusing Update To TCPS Stance On Political Campaigning In Schools - The Easton Gazette
Butler, a retired teacher, understands what is happening. He is challenging the wife of the Chairman of the Talbot County Democrat Central Committee. Jackson got the endorsement of the teachers' union and is the current President of the Talbot County Board.
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In short, he's an underdog fighting against the status quo candidate who has been in place for eight years. Unnamed sources have quoted her as saying that she wants to be the first, and only, school board member ever elected for three terms.
Seems a shallow goal for a person who should be more focused on the education of Talbot County's children.
Mike Butler is a lifelong resident of Talbot County, a former athlete, coach, and teacher in the county. His family served this county in so many capacities; law enforcement, political office, and of course, educator. He's a family man as well.
His opponent is well aware of that and she is nervous. So much so that she was giving away free campaign swag at a Chapel District PTO event this past weekend. The PTO, or Parent/Teacher Organization, is a 501C3 non-profit which raises money for Chapel District School.
For the information of our readers in the United States, 501(c)(3) organizations are prohibited from participating or intervening in political campaigns on behalf of or in opposition to any candidate for public office. This is commonly called the IRS's political campaign intervention prohibition.
Doing so can prevent an organization like the Chapel District PTO from keeping their tax-exempt status. Of course, someone would have to report the violation if there was one.
Some of the Jackson supporters wanted to take their support for Emily further. So, over the weekend, they went down Cordova Road and put giant red "X's" on Mike Butler's campaign signs:
This sign and many more were vandalized on Old Cordova Road. Some were moved from where they were originally placed to other locations. This is a crime.
Maryland law specifically prohibits willfully and maliciously destroying, injuring, or defacing another person's property under Maryland Criminal Law § 6-301 . Campaign signs can fall under this law. The potential penalties depend on the amount of damage:
- Damage under $1,000: Up to 60 days in jail and/or a $500 fine.
- Damage of $1,000 or more: Up to 3 years in prison and/or a $2,500 fine.
Taking a campaign sign without permission may also violate Maryland's theft laws, depending on the circumstances. These are potential maximum penalties, not automatic sentences.
Butler supporters shared their outrage on social media after this was posted early this morning:
Here are their comments:
" It just shows people's true characters. Mr. Butler has never knocked his running opponent despite all the horrible things done to him! That speaks volumes, he's not in it for the "fame" he's here to fight for the schools and the kids at the end of the day isn't that they goal we're here to achieve. Thank God he is a well-known coach, teacher, friend, and community member in Talbot County. I truly believe he is going to be fine."
And another:
"I'm relatively new to the local political sphere of Talbot County, but the things that I have witnessed through this election cycle here have absolutely appalled me. Attacks on local businesses, non-stop targeting of political opponents, vandalism, ethical violations, the list goes on for what kind of conduct the Talbot County Democrats seems to endorse. It's really disgusting..."
The second comment is referring to an incident in September where a member of the local Democrat party attempted to get people to boycott a local business, Gay's Seafood because of signs placed next to the business. The attempt backfired and the community rallied behind Gay's Seafood and its owner Rennie Gay.
There have been other incidents. Frank Gunsallus, a Republican candidate for County Council, was able to catch a man stealing and destroying his campaign signs. The man was charged but we don't know the outcome of that case.
An hour after the initial post above was made by Ryan Forbes, this came out from the Talbot Democrat Party:
It seems they did this to react to the vandalism and theft of Butler's signs. This was posted AFTER the incidents with Butler's signs were shared on social media. Many are questioning whether Jackson's signs were actually stolen or vandalized as the graphic claims or if the Democrat Central Committee was covering for her.
Jackson herself got on social media and commented "Over the weekend several of my campaign signs were stolen, and signs belonging to my opponent were vandalized. I want to be very clear. This is not okay."
Jackson went on to talk about how Talbot County is a community and we need to "treat each other with some basic decency and respect along the way." We agree with that.
Butler posted a video message about the incident on Facebook:
Here is a link to his page if you are unable to see his video:
Facebook Mike Butler for School Board
We couldn't find a link to Emily Jackson's page which usually means we have been blocked.
Additional Information: We have also been informed that numerous ethics complaints have been filed with the Talbot County Public Schools against board members Emily Jackson, Amy Dodson and additional individuals for campaign and other ethics violations. We don't know the results of those complaints.
We understand that this theft and vandalism has been reported to the Talbot County Sheriff's Office.
