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Bishop Supporters Trespass and Deface Billboard at Zeldin Headquarters

"STOP VETS, VOTE BISHOP" Slogan Appears in Yellow Paint

Over "Zeldin for Congress” Sign

News from Lee Zeldin for Congress
10/24/08

PATCHOGUE, NY (10/24/2008; 0028)(readMedia)-- Lee Zeldin, the Republican and Conservative Party candidate for the First Congressional District, expressed shock and dismay today at anti-veteran graffiti left by vandals supporting incumbent Tim Bishop's re-election efforts.


The vandalism continued a troubling, campaign-long trend by defacing a 4' x 8' Zeldin billboard with the words, "STOP VETS, VOTE BISHOP" (see attached photo) Over the course of the last week, 12 other billboards have been defaced or stolen throughout Smithtown, Brookhaven and Southampton. In response to these acts of theft and vandalism, several police reports have been filed.

"Throughout this campaign, the anti-veteran propoganda from opponents targeting myself and the rest of the veterans' community is insulting, outrageous, and inexcusable," said Zeldin. "These campaign tactics of theft, vandalism, and anti-veteran rhetoric are outrageous and do not have any place in the political discourse. These attacks have nothing to do with the issues. I demand my opponent instruct his supporters to immediately cease these despicable campaign tactics."

Bishop spoke with Campaign Chairman Bill Fries Thursday and offered to send staff over to assist with the removal of the sign. Fries respectfully declined.

On Friday, Zeldin removed the sign with the assistance of dozens of fellow veterans.