Parente owns a gas station downtown. In front of the gas station is a large sign that he periodically changes. Recently he changed the sign to a campaign message (in effect, “vote for me”.) Can he legally do this?
I know that corporations are not allowed to donate money to campaigns in MA. What about non-monetary support?
If he is a sole proprietorship, does that make it OK?
Thanks,
Mark
Background:
In the primary, Kate won Hudson and Maynard and lost Bolton and Stow to Ellen Sturgis. Up until the Hudson votes were reported, Kate was down about 30 votes (the other three towns reported much faster than Hudson). She won Hudson by about 300 votes.
In the third Middlesex, Hudson is the heavyweight. If a candidate wins Hudson big, they could likely win the seat without winning Maynard, Stow or Bolton. However, if Hudson is close, then the other three towns come into play.
While Parente has an advantage in Hudson (and supported by the Celucci family, and he has a PAC with cash), Kate seems to have an advantage in the other three towns. She lived in Maynard for a long time before moving to Stow and of course, she’s a long time democrat.
IMHO, Kate will have to keep Hudson close and win in the three other towns.
…I don’t see why not. If it’s his business and his property then it’s no different than putting up a yard sign on your residential property. To try to prevent him from doing this would raise first amendment red flags in my mind. I have seen plenty of businesses not owned by candidates with political signs in their windows.
… be local ordinances that deal with campaign signs. I’d definitely check into that.