Campaign signs have likely been around since Eve convinced Adam to endorse the Apple ticket, but it's really taken the 21st century residents of Baltimore County to perfect the next big thing: the lawsuit over political signs.
Gentle readers will recall that the county's crackdown on an oversized yard sign promoting Robert L. Ehrlich Jr.'s campaign for governor caused its owner to sue earlier this year. A judge subsequently ruled that the county acted within its power.
But now comes word that Richard J. Reinhardt II, the Republican seeking to become the county's next circuit court clerk, is suing Democratic candidate Julie Ensor and her husband for allegedly defaming him by suggesting involvement in the theft and destruction of about 200 of her campaign signs.
The lawsuit, filed by Mr. Reinhardt's father, seeks $2 million in damages, even though the plaintiff acknowledges that Ms. Ensor never told police that he had done anything illegal only that Reinhardt signs had been placed near where Ensor signs had been stolen or damaged.
If this keeps up, Towson may need a "Sign Court" just to handle the outdoor advertising docket. Sounds like more work for the next court clerk. In the meantime, Mr. Reinhardt can contemplate whom to sue for causing him to appear so litigious — surely a greater blow to one's reputation than being interviewed by police over some missing or defaced signs.