Signs of Gay Mayoral Candidate Are Destroyed, Defaced

The campaign signs of a gay mayoral candidate in Michigan have been the target of vandalism.

Ken Siver, a former city councilman who is running for mayor of Southfield, a Detroit suburb, revealed Thursday that one of his signs was defaced with antigay slurs earlier this week, reports The Detroit News. Two others were destroyed.

"I'm upset and disturbed by the [vandalism]," said Siver. "It's not a Southfield value. There hasn't really been any racial strife here. We've had a lot of harmony in this community."

In response, Siver and his campaign erected another sign next to one that was torn. It reads, "Hate is not a Southfield community value."

The destruction of the signs has not been the only controversy in this election. Fliers reading, "Let's get the blacks out of Southfield," which included a photo of Siver, who is white, were placed in the mailboxes of community members.

"I think they are trying to find ways to discredit me," Siver said.

Police are investigating the incident.