Candidate accuses official of damaging his campaign signs

A Storey County candidate has accused a retiring public official of damaging his campaign signs.

Eric Pierson, a Republican running for commissioner, said Storey County Recorder Maggie Lowther, who will retire at the end of the year, damaged a campaign sign of his that was on a lot next to her home.

Pierson said the alleged vandalism of the sign occurred Saturday at 8:10 p.m.

"I'm driving home on C Street, and I saw this person just stomping on my sign with her foot," he said. "I got closer and saw it was Maggie Lowther."

Lowther denied vandalizing the sign.

"I didn't damage his sign, I didn't even touch the sign," she said. "I was going to pull it out and move it, but changed my mind. I did go out Saturday night, and his sign was gone, but it wasn't me."

Pierson said Lowther told him the sign was on her property, but he said it was 3 to 3 feet north of her home. Pierson said he had permission of the property owner, Nick Galakatos, of Carson City, to put his signs on the lot.

""She was just stomping on it, and when I told her I was going to file a sheriff's report, she put it back up," he said. "I took it down, and I'll replace it with another. Her fingerprints are on it, and I didn't want to leave it up to Storey County because I know how things work up here."

Storey County Undersheriff Bruce Larson confirmed a police report was on file. He said the incident was under investigation and would be forwarded to Storey County District Attorney Harold Swafford.

• Contact reporter Karen Woodmansee at kwoodmansee@nevadaappeal.com or 882-2111 ext. 351.