“If they feel the need to try silence me, it means I’m doing something right”: Local Elections 2024 candidate in Kildare responds to posters being stolen

A County Kildare candidate running in the Local Elections 2024 has criticised those who he claimed been stealing and vandalising campaign posters.

James Stokes, an 18-year-old candidate running with Sinn Féin in Newbridge, commented on the situation yesterday on his official Facebook profile.

Mr Stokes said: "Some bad form from some (people) today: I’ve had a number of posters stolen today in broad daylight.

"Thankfully people have reached out to me to alert me and I’ve received some CCTV footage.

"If you see anyone taking any posters down please reach out to me, the posters weren’t easy to put up, and they weren’t cheap either; I’m a first time candidate trying to get my name out there, people going around taking down the posters must really not want to see change in our local council."

He elaborated on the matter further while speaking with the Leinster Leader: "As I said in the Facebook post, these posters weren’t cheap, and they weren’t easy to put up.

"I’m a first time candidate working a part time job, in university while also running for the upcoming Local Election, so it is disappointing that people are going out and stealing or vandalizing posters, one even being stolen from my own road.

"However, if they feel the need to try silence me, it means I’m doing something right, and I am as dedicated as ever with just a week to go till the elections to win a seat, and bring a new perspective to local politics."

"I want to be a voice for change, and I will not be silenced," he concluded.