If signs could vote, then the incumbent mayor of a Birmingham area town would conquer downtown on election day.
Dozens of campaign signs promoting Tarrant Mayor Wayman Newton appear to have grabbed the attention – and shaken the nerves – of one of his challengers who took to social media to lament the sight.
Jack Evans offered snarky commentary after seeing the promotions.
“How pathetic, how embarrassing for the city,” Evans wrote on the What’s Happening In Tarrant Facebook page today.
The last-minute swipe was a rare political post for Evans’ usually quiet campaign. “But man, all the money he spent on this childish display, He continues to demonstrate he does not have the maturity to lead anything, especially a city in despair.”
Three candidates are on the ballot for mayor: Evans, Newton and Councilwoman and Mayor-pro tem Tracie Threadford.
Evan’s swipe at the mayor is tame for Tarrant city politics, which in recent years has included personal insults, lawsuits and even physical confrontations.
The election is a referendum on which direction the city will take after several years of animosity between Newton and the council that has divided both city hall and the residents. All council seats are also up for grabs today.
The post generated a discussion between both supporters and detractors of the mayor.
“I don’t even see why this is a post,” wrote Derrick Williamson, a former Tarrant police officer and a fierce Newton defender. “Maybe someone is upset they didn’t have enough money to have signs left to place the eve of the election?”
Williamson quipped that there’s still enough room on the city streetside for other candidate signs if they had some.
“I’m sure if someone asked for space if they had any signs to put out he would make some space,” Williamson said. “Has anyone asked? Still looks like plenty of space available though.”
For his part, Newton was back outside today campaigning downtown – outside his signs.
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