A man suspected of vandalizing multiple campaign signs in Fairfield during the mayoral and City Council election has been arrested, police said Thursday.
The suspect, a 68-year-old man, was arrested by Fairfield police Tuesday on suspicion of vandalism at an address belonging to an affordable housing complex for seniors on the north side of Fairfield, according to booking logs.
Throughout the past month, mayoral and council candidate signs have been repeatedly defaced with spray paint, costing some candidates thousands of dollars and stirring suspicion among residents.
According to incumbent City Councilmember Doug Carr, he and Vice Mayor Pam Bertani, a mayoral candidate, have been the main targets of the vandalism.
“I have no knowledge of why,” said Carr in a phone call Thursday, adding that he and Bertani have different stances on issues in Fairfield and are running in separate races. Signs advocating for Measure P, a sales tax increase, were also defaced, said Carr.
Carr said his campaign spent around $3,000 replacing signs. According to campaign finance reports, Bertani has spent at least $1,300 replacing signs.
Carr, a behavioral health counselor for Solano County Superior Court, said he suspects the vandalism may have been driven by mental health factors more than politics. At least one sign was painted with an anti-Trump message — but the City Council member said he votes Democrat.