Yard signs stolen in Johnson supervisor race?

Is there some political gamesmanship going on in the Johnson County supervisors race?

Tom Cardella thinks so. He called today alleging eight campaign yard signs for his wife, Lori, were stolen overnight. That includes the one at their home in rural Solon.

"I don't think it's kids pulling pranks," he said.

Lori Cardella is the Republican candidate for the Jan. 19 special election for a seat on the Board of Supervisors. She also spearheaded the campaign that forced the election.

The Cardellas filed a report with the Sheriff's Office, Sheriff Lonny Pulkrabek confirmed. He said most of the signs were reported stolen in the Solon area.

Tom Cardella said he and his wife would press charges if anyone was caught.

Dennis Roseman, chairman of the Johnson County Democrats, said in an e-mail that he knows of no one in his organization who has ever done such a thing. Of this particular incident, he said he didn't even know Cardella  had signs up already.

Unfortunately, he said, having yard signs stolen is fairly common in many campaigns. In fact, he said he checked with the campaign of Janelle Rettig, the Democratic nominee, and they have had signs taken too.

"Personally I find  sign stealing/defacing to be repugnant," he wrote.