SYRACUSE --
State Assembly candidate Rick Guy says someone went too far when they vandalized one of his campaign signs.
Guy says his brother found one of his signs vandalized on West Genesee Street a few days ago. Someone painted a swastika on a picture of Guy and made it look like he was wearing makeup. The letters "KKK" are also written on his neck.
Guy says he doesn't believe his opponent, Democrat Bill Magnarelli, or his campaign staff had anything to do with the vandalism. Guy said he believes it is an attempt to intimidate him by people who heard Magnarelli describe guy as anti-gay and anti-woman. Magnarelli said that after Guy had criticized him for supporting a bill that allowed transgendered individuals to use either bathroom.
"If you call somebody anti-gay, anti-woman and anti-human rights, I think it incites certain elements in the community. And I think probably had this effect. I thought it was a very inappropriate response to a criticism of his record," said Guy on Friday afternoon.
On Friday afternoon, Magnarelli campaign spokesperson Christine Fix said there is "no place for symbols such as swastikas and KKK in American society and hope we all understand the hurtful nature these symbols display." but she said it is "beyond any reality" to believe Mr. Magnarelli incited them.