Campaign signs in Las Vegas that show the likeness of California Gov. Gavin Newsom were vandalized with swastikas.
Last month, a political action committee that supports Gov. Joe Lombardo placed signs across the Las Vegas Valley highlighting Newsom’s endorsement of Attorney General Aaron Ford, a Nevada gubernatorial candidate.
The signs — funded by Better Nevada PAC — display pictures of both Democrats with the text: “Gavin Newsom Endorses Aaron Ford.”
At the time, the PAC hit Ford for what it described as his lack of resources to promote his favorite endorsement.
Images of one defaced sign that circulated in media reports show that a swastika was tagged over Newsom’s face.
“We were made aware that some billboards have been vandalized and we took steps to ensure they were quickly repaired,” wrote Better Nevada spokesperson John Burke in a statement. “These messages have no place in our discourse.”
The Metropolitan Police Department documented one of the incidents for a malicious destruction of property report after a tipster reported a swastika on a sign on Aug. 3 near Las Vegas Boulevard and Starr Avenue.
Metro returned to the scene six days later after receiving a second call. “A report was not taken because the incident had already been documented,” it added.
The department said Thursday that it hadn’t received similar calls since the second call.
Burke confirmed that a similar incident occurred near Buffalo Drive and Sunset Road. A Review-Journal reporter Wednesday saw another swastika on Newsom’s face on Buffalo Drive, near Sahara Avenue and Charleston Boulevard.
Las Vegas Mayor Shelley Berkley said the city does not tolerate racism, antisemitism or discrimination.
“When I learned of the defacing of political signs with Nazi swastikas in our city, I was disgusted and appalled,” she wrote in a statement . “That type of behavior does not reflect the values of Las Vegas and will not be tolerated.”
Added Berkley: “I understand the authorities are investigating these incidents, and once caught, the perpetrator will be prosecuted.”
Ford’s campaign responded on Thursday, saying that it unequivocally condemns the hate symbols.
“They are a deeply unfortunate reflection of the toxicity created by the Lombardo campaign’s ceaseless lies and smears,” campaign spokesperson Prerna Jagadeesh wrote in a statement. “We call on them to join us in affirming that hatred has no place in this race, and to take down the defaced billboards.”
Newsom’s office could not be reached for comment.
Last month, Metro opened an investigation after a Lombardo campaign banner on the 215 Beltway, in the southwest valley, was also defaced.
Police encouraged anyone with information about the vandalism to call Crime Stoppers at 702-385-5555.
Contact Ricardo Torres-Cortez at rtorres@reviewjournal.com. Review-Journal reporter Casey Harrison contributed to this report.
