LEONARDTOWN, Md. — Jennifer Clancy’s campaign for Maryland House of Delegates District 29A reported the vandalism of three campaign signs on private property in Charlotte Hall on November 11, 2025. The incident, which involved a large banner and two yard signs, prompted a report to the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office, where deputies classified it as vandalism.
The resident supporter discovered the damage in her front yard that Tuesday. The yard sign wires had been bent in half and placed atop the larger banner. No suspects or motives were identified in the initial police response, and the case remains under investigation as of November 14, 2025.
Clancy, a Democrat who filed her candidacy in August 2025, addressed the episode in a statement released November 13. She highlighted the financial impact on donors, noting the signs were funded by contributions from district residents facing economic pressures. “Residents of this district – our district – donated the money to purchase these signs for their neighbors. These signs and banners were purchased on the dime of those furloughed, those on SNAP, those awaiting higher premiums or denial of healthcare notices, those who live paycheck to paycheck,” Clancy said. “Some donors are able to withstand these changing conditions, but others have given when they really couldn’t. Because they believe in this campaign. Because they need someone who represents them.”
The campaign described its approach since filing as focused on community engagement without negative tactics. On November 10, Clancy coordinated a food drive and meal kit packing event at Mac’s Tap and Table in Leonardtown, resulting in more than 100 kits donated to local food pantries. The statement expressed worry that early harassment could deter supporters from displaying signs and signal broader issues ahead of the June 23, 2026, primary and November 3, 2026, general elections.
Clancy’s team called on her opponent, Republican incumbent Matt Morgan, to join in rejecting violence, harassment, trespassing and vandalism. Morgan, who has represented District 29A since January 2015, did not immediately respond to requests for comment on November 14. The campaign emphasized support for civil competition as essential to democratic participation.
District 29A encompasses northern St. Mary’s County, including Leonardtown, Hollywood and Charlotte Hall, with an estimated 45,000 residents. The area features a mix of agricultural lands, aquaculture operations and tourism tied to the Patuxent River, alongside employment at Naval Air Station Patuxent River. Voters here lean Republican in state races, as Morgan captured 58 percent of the vote in the 2022 general election against Democrat Aaron Mealy. The district’s economy supports small farms and watermen, with recent legislative efforts addressing crop insurance and waterfront erosion through bills like the 2024 Aquaculture Innovation Act, sponsored by Morgan.
Clancy, a licensed clinical professional counselor with more than 20 years in mental health and education, brings experience as a public school counselor and owner of Jennifer Clancy Birth Services LLC. Raised as a Navy dependent, she is a mother of five and advocates with groups including the ACLU, NAACP, Human Rights Campaign and PFLAG. Her platform prioritizes full funding for public schools and libraries, expanded healthcare access for rural and vulnerable populations, agricultural support through education programs, a progressive tax structure to relieve working families and protection of constitutional rights against discrimination.
The vandalism occurs amid updates to St. Mary’s County sign regulations. On October 28, 2025, county commissioners forwarded a zoning amendment to remove time limits on political signs, allowing displays in all districts up to 6 feet high and with a maximum face area of 32 square feet per sign. Planners delayed a vote on November 4 following ACLU input on First Amendment compliance and alignment with state election laws, which prohibit sign removal except for safety violations. Under the proposed rules, signs must be placed at least 5 feet from roads and removed within 10 days after elections, but private property owners retain display rights year-round.
Maryland election code classifies political sign interference as a misdemeanor, punishable by fines up to $500 or jail time up to 90 days, with enhanced penalties if linked to intimidation under the state’s voter suppression laws. The St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office handles such reports through its criminal investigations division, coordinating with the Board of Elections for any polling-related threats. Past incidents in the county, including 2020 thefts during the presidential race, led to public warnings from law enforcement in St. Mary’s, Calvert and Charles counties.
The incident draws attention to broader protections under Maryland’s Election Code Article 13, which mandates safe access to voting and campaigns. The state attorney general’s office monitors intimidation claims, referring cases to local prosecutors. In Southern Maryland, where rural roads limit visibility, signs remain a key outreach tool, especially for off-year races like 2026.
Contact the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office at 301-475-8008 for tips on the vandalism case.
This article was edited to remove inaccurate campaign funds raised and campaign events not scheduled.
