House candidate and Democratic county chair resigns after arrest for stealing Trump signs

Voting signs on the first day of early voting, Lake Lynn Community Center, Raleigh, Oct. 17, 2024. Source: Theresa Opeka, Carolina Journal.

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  • Simon was charged with two misdemeanor counts of larceny of political sign and is scheduled to be in court on October 30.

A North Carolina House candidate and Moore County Democratic Party chair has resigned from his post after being charged with stealing Trump campaign signs. Lowell Simon, 68, who is running as a Democrat in House District 98, stepped down from the party leadership following his arrest in Moore County.

Simon is running against Neal Jackson, a Republican. Simon also ran for state House in 2020 and 2018, but lost to Republican Jamie Boles both times.

Simon Lowell mugshot Source: Moore County Sheriff’s Office

Simon, who admitted to the act, was spotted removing Trump signs placed alongside his own. According to the Moore County Sheriffs office, a deputy recognized Simon, followed up at Simon’s residence, and then saw the signs in his car. Simon was charged with two misdemeanor counts of larceny of political signs and is scheduled to be in court on October 30.

“Sheriff Ronnie Fields reminds the public that the removal or theft of campaign signs is a violation of North Carolina General Statute 136-32(e), which protects the lawful placement of these signs during election periods,” the Moore County Sheriff’s Office wrote in a social media post.

In a statement, Thomas expressed regret over his actions saying,”I shouldn’t have done it.”

“I’ve been telling people for years don’t touch opposition signs, but I was pissed,” he told WRAL. Kamala Harris signs were also stolen in Moore County, as police arrested 64-year James Wesley Greenfield Jr. on Oct. 15 for the same offense as Simon. 

“While we appreciate the hard work and dedication he has shown to the Democratic Party and the community, the Moore County Democratic Party cannot and will not condone the tampering of political signs or any other illegal activity,” the Moore County Democratic Party said in a statement on Facebook. The MCDP also encouraged supporters to report tampering with their own signs.

Monique Baker will lead the county party in the interim.

With early voting underway and just two weeks to go until Election Day, sign stealing is becoming a problem statewide for both major parties. Mecklenburg County Republicans say hundred of their signs are being stolen, and have now set up trail cameras to combat the problem.

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