Caballero’s campaign office burglarized ahead of Election Day

Overnight, Monday into election day, someone broke into State Senate District 12 candidate Anna Caballero’s campaign office in Merced. The campaign says computers were stolen, containing sensitive information including voter contacts, precinct maps, and scheduling details.

“There’s no way to know. but who takes campaign literature the day of the election. It’s odd,” Caballero tells KION.

Caballero’s Campaign Coordinator, Ken Smith, says this was politically motivated. “This was not a robbery. This was a political dirty trick.”

Smith says this was an effort to hurt the Democratic Party candidate.

“It is unfortunate that whoever did this feels like they have to resort to these tactics to defeat Assemblymember Caballero.”

Her opponent is Republican Rob Poythress, a Madera County Supervisor. The Poythress campaign sent KION a statement that reads, in part, “Campaigns should be run and won on the issues and the hard work of candidates as determined by the voters. I condemn this kind of behavior.”

The Poythress campaign tells KION whoever burglarized Caballero’s office has no connection to their campaign.

KION spoke with Poythress later Tuesday night. He said “It’s wrong. And I hope they find who did it.”

This has been an ugly race. Attack ads on both sides accusing the other of raising costs on families, running a corrupt government, and allowing drugs in their city.

Merced Police are still searching for the suspect.

“No information on a suspect at the time,” said Lt. Alan Ward. “(That person) broke a back window to gain access to the business.”

Original report (11/6/18)

California Senate candidate Anna Caballero’s campaign office in Merced was burglarized overnight.

“It is clear the break-in and subsequent burglary of Assemblymember Caballero’s Merced campaign office was conducted by a person or persons who have a vested interest in trying to limit our campaign’s contact with voters on Election Day,” said Caballero’s office.

Staffers said the computers stolen had voter contact information, precinct maps, and scheduling details.

“The perpetrators have brought to the Central Valley the same kind of tricks, distortions and lies we are seeing at the national level. And they capped it off by committing a felony,” said Caballero’s office. “Ms. Caballero will not be deterred. She knows voters can and will see this felony for what it is: a last desperate attempt to subvert not just the voters will, but our democracy itself.”

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