JONATHAN STARKEY AND JON OFFREDO

THE NEWS JOURNAL

Middletown police have issued an arrest warrant for the husband of state Sen. Bethany Hall-Long for allegedly stealing roadway campaign signs erected by Republicans.

Police on Wednesday responded to a complaint about the theft of political signs, some of which read "Fix the Economy! Vote Republican."

Police identified the suspect as Dana Armon Long, of the 100 block of St. Augustine Court near Middletown. Police confirmed he is the husband of the state senator. Both are Democrats. The warrant was issued for theft under $1,500.

Reached at his home, Long would not comment on the allegations. "I cannot at this point in time make any comments at the advice of counsel," Long said.

An investigation revealed that on Sunday, 28 signs were placed on Middletown Odessa Road at Silver Lake Road, and on the 700 block of Middletown Odessa Road, police said.

They were discovered missing on Monday, replaced, and once again removed. After the campaign signs were replaced a second time, campaign volunteers staked out the spot where the thefts were occurring during early morning hours on Wednesday.

Middletown police said the campaign officials observed "a vehicle pull off the roadway in front of the signs. An individual exited his vehicle and began removing the signs."

The two workers confronted the man and posted video of the incident online.

Republican and Democratic party leaders condemned the thefts on Wednesday.

"When you only have a track record of high taxes, unemployment and lower wages for private sector employees to stand on, the Democrats must resort to breaking the law to win elections because they are scared of being held accountable for their dismal performance," John Fluharty, executive director of the state GOP, said in a written statement.

John Daniello, chairman of the state Democratic Party, said in a statement that, "Each campaign season, we deal with candidates removing their opponent's signs. This behavior is absolutely unacceptable. There are more positive ways in which to support your candidate regardless of party affiliation."

The charge is a Class A misdemeanor punishable by up to 1 year in prison and a fine up to $2,300, including restitution and other conditions set by the court.

In a prepared statement, Hall-Long apologized for the incident.

"My husband is the man depicted in the video. The video shows him removing a handful of signs this morning. He turned them over to the Democratic Party and asked that they be returned to the Republican Party about six hours after they were taken up," she said. "Sadly, this race has become tough and personal. My husband is my high school sweetheart and he loves me very much. I was not aware that he had allowed his frustration over the campaign attacks to get the better of him. Of course I'm disappointed and wish that it had not happened."

Hall-Long faces Republican John Marino in the Nov. 4 general election.

Contact Jonathan Starkey at 983-6756, on Twitter @jwstarkey or at jstarkey@delawareonline.com. Contact Jon Offredo at 678-4271, on Twitter @jonoffredo or at joffredo@delawareonline.com.