Oklahoma candidate caught on camera appearing to steal opponents signs ahead of primary vote

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A candidate for Oklahoma's state Congress was caught on camera appearing to steal his opponent's signs ahead of the congressional Democratic primary vote today.

If there is one political truth, it's that no matter the size or place, when it comes to elections it's going to get ugly.

Tom Guild was seen on surveillance footage pulling into a parking lot, getting out of his vehicle and removing the signs of his opponent, Kendra Horn. Mr Guild pulled out signs saying "Horn for Congress" out of the lawn and discarding them onto ground. He is then seen taking the signs off camera, presumably to throw them away.

The election today will pare down the list of candidates before the general midterm election in November. Both Mr Guild and Ms Horn count among six Democrat candidates running for state Congress in Oklahoma's 5th Congressional District, currently held by Republican Rep Steve Russell.

Rep Russell is heavily favored to win the GOP nomination, as it has been more than 40 years since a Democrat has represented the district.

Ms Horn told local TV channel KOCO that she wants to focus on the issues rather than Mr Guild's competitive behaviour. At the time of her candidate filing in April, she told The Oklahoman that she hoped to turn her district blue.

Mr Guild, a 64-year-old retired college professor, said in a statement that he apologised for removing some of his opponent's signs. "There are very important issues at stake in this election," he said, "and I urge everyone who has not yet done so to get out tomorrow and vote."