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Tribune News Service
Tribune News Service
National
Skyler Swisher

Signs for Florida candidate for governor defaced with Nazi symbol

Someone painted swastikas on Philip Levine's campaign signs in St. Petersburg, Fla., prompting candidates in the Democratic race for governor to condemn anti-Semitism a day before the primary election.

Levine, one of two Jewish candidates in the race, posted on Twitter a photo of the signs defaced with the Nazi symbol, urging candidates to condemn bigotry.

"As Governor, I will never be held hostage to hatred, or bigotry, or intolerance," Levine wrote. "Never. All candidates should speak out against this intolerable behavior. We are better than the haters, bigger than the bigots, and tomorrow we will show them why."

Christian Ulvert, a senior adviser for the Levine campaign, said he hopes St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman will ask police to review the matter and see if any surveillance cameras captured the vandalism.

A St. Petersburg police spokeswoman could not be reached for comment Monday.

Levine's Twitter post prompted the other four Democrats in the race to condemn the act. Palm Beach billionaire Jeff Greene, who is Jewish, called on Floridians to "reject" such behavior. Former U.S. Rep. Gwen Graham and Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum wrote they were "disgusted" to see Levine's signs defaced. Winter Park businessman Chris King wrote "hate has no home in Florida."

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