Peter Jacob_Fundraiser-1511.jpg

Congressional candidates Peter Jacob at a fundraising event.

(Photo courtesy of Peter Jacob For Congress)

UPDATE: Swastikas at his home mirror hate-filled election, candidate says

UNION -- Authorities are investigating two reports of spray-painted swastikas found at the home of a New Jersey congressional candidate over the weekend.

Peter Jacob, an Indian-American who is running for New Jersey's 7th District against Republican incumbent Leonard Lance, said in a statement to his supporters that he woke up Monday morning to the vandalism on his house, three days after similar graffiti was found on his property.

Jacob blames the current atmosphere created by Donald Trump and his local opponent, who has endorsed the Republican presidential candidate.

"Let there be no mistake, the people who committed this crime did so because they feel comfortable and confident to commit hateful acts due to an ever increasing atmosphere of accepted racism," Jacob said in an email to supporters.

The first swastika sighting was reported Friday, which was found painted on the sidewalk outside Jacob's house, according to News 12. It has since been washed away by the township.

The campaign told NJ Advance Media Jacob will hold a press conference Tuesday morning with local leaders and law enforcement in response to the incidents.

In a statement Monday, Lance condemned the incidents. The congressman said he requested to attend the press conference but was not invited "due to his support of Donald Trump," according to Lance's campaign manager John Malone.

"While we continue to stand with Peter Jacob against racism in any form, we strongly reject his campaign's continued false attacks against Leonard Lance and his supporters," Malone said in an email. "These outrageous attacks from the Jacob campaign are patently false."

Lance joined other Republicans running for reelection Saturday, denouncing Trump's 2005 comments about women in a statement.

"Donald Trump's words are as offensive and vulgar today as they were 11 years ago and have no place in public or private discourse," the statement said.

Craig McCarthy may be reached at CMcCarthy@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @createcraig. Find NJ.com on Facebook.