The Huntington Beach Police Department made an arrest following the vandalism of multiple “Dave Min for Congress” signs on Tuesday. Several of these signs were spray-painted with derogatory anti-Asian slurs. The incidents were first reported at the intersection of Lamar Drive and Newland Street, where victims found offensive terms targeting individuals of Asian descent imprinted on the campaign signs. Jessica Cuchilla, a spokesperson for the HBPD, confirmed that these acts are being investigated as potential hate crimes, given their racist nature.
The candidate, State Senator Dave Min, who is running for California’s 47th Congressional District seat, expressed disappointment over the incidents. Min, the son of Korean immigrants, stated he found the display of anti-Asian hate “saddening but not surprising,” particularly in light of recent political events in the area. Notably, the vandalism took place just days after a rally for former President Donald Trump in Huntington Beach, which Min attributes to the heightened xenophobia and racism that he believes have characterized Trump’s political rhetoric. He highlighted the connection between such hate and the adversarial political climate facing candidates like him, who come from immigrant backgrounds.
The police were called to investigate another instance of vandalism around 2 p.m. that day at Magnolia Street and Mediterranean Drive, during which they arrested a 62-year-old suspect named Kevin William Walker from Fountain Valley. He was charged with vandalism exceeding $400 in damages. However, it remains unclear whether Walker was involved in the earlier incidents that featured hate speech. Cuchilla mentioned that the association between the suspect and the aforementioned hate-filled vandalism had yet to be established.
In the broader context of his campaign, Min criticized the political landscape, claiming that Orange County residents are being inundated with misleading attacks from Scott Baugh, a Republican challenger. Baugh, who previously served in the California state Assembly, is competing against Min for the critical congressional seat that will impact party control in Congress. The 47th District has an even split in party registration, with approximately 35% affiliated with both the Republican and Democratic parties, making it a significant battleground.
Baugh’s campaign manager, Nic Gerard, publicly condemned the vandalism of any political signs, including Min’s. He reiterated that his candidate stands firmly against racism and emphasized a commitment to reporting any information regarding the perpetrators to law enforcement. Gerard also noted that Baugh’s own political signs had recently fallen victim to vandalism, demonstrating that such actions are not isolated to one candidate’s campaign.
However, Huntington Beach Mayor Gracey Van Der Mark added another dimension to the conversation, commenting that she too had experienced vandalism of her signs and accusing Min of instigating division and engaging in what she described as “race baiting.” This remark reflects the polarized nature of the political climate in Huntington Beach, as both candidates navigate the challenges posed not just by their opposition but also by ongoing societal tensions related to race and identity in America. The situation encapsulates the broader implications of political discourse today, especially in tight electoral races like this one.