Republican 8th District congressional candidate Dan Cox is taking an unusual step to protect large signs along I-270 that promote his message to widen the highway after they have been stolen twice.
Cox, an Emmitsburg lawyer, said Friday he added an “interesting-smelling liquid” to the third set of signs he has posted along the road near where the new Clarksburg Premium Outlets are being constructed.
“So whoever is making off with my signs, I’m inclined they will not do so,” he said. The candidate did not say what exactly the liquid was, but said that it had an unpleasant smell.
Signs are back up with @ $500 loss and I give fair warning to anyone who tries to steal them. #Skunked #Urine #NatureandNaturesGod#MD08 pic.twitter.com/BtP7PUWeGN
— Dan Cox for Congress (@dancox4congress) September 23, 2016
The two signs, which are about 15 feet in length, are posted on a supporter’s property next to the highway near the northbound lanes. The signs read “Cox for Congress” and “Widen I-270 Time is Now.”
On Friday, Cox tweeted a picture of the signs that had disappeared from their posts in a field with the comment, “Far Left sign Nazis stole my signs again within 24 hours of replacement.” He said someone appeared to use a razor blade to cut them off the posts.
Far Left sign Nazis stole my signs again within 24 hours of replacement. #FreeSpeech#WeWillWin pic.twitter.com/1kVQXom5EO
— Dan Cox for Congress (@dancox4congress) September 23, 2016
Cox said he spent about $500 on the original two signs and the four replacement signs.
He would not say whether he reported the alleged thefts to police, adding he’s “not going to comment on anything related to a potential investigation.”
Cox is running in the 8th Congressional District against Democrat Jamie Raskin, a Takoma Park resident and Maryland state senator. The gerrymandered district stretches from the Pennsylvania border to southern Montgomery County and somewhat resembles the Indochina peninsula in Southeast Asia.
Widening the often-congested I-270 highway, which stretches from the Capital Beltway to Frederick, has been one of Cox’s priorities during his congressional campaign.
“It’s a local issue that impacts approximately 200,000 people every day depending on where they get on I-270,” Cox said. “It’s been far too long since it’s been addressed and with the existing easement we have the ability to put in two additional lanes that are reversible and I’d like to see that happen with no tolls.”
On Sept. 19, a coalition of mostly Democratic leaders from Montgomery County and Frederick gathered in Germantown to also press for improvements to I-270. At the press conference, Montgomery County Council President Nancy Floreen urged state and federal officials to push for federal funding for projects to ease congestion on the highway. Rep. John Delaney, who represents the 6th Congressional District, said at the event any project would need to be financed with tolls.
Cox said Friday he welcomed the coalition’s efforts, although he described tolls as another tax on the public.
“I was excited,” Cox said. “I’m grateful they’re joining the effort and bringing the concerns to light.”
