Derogatory Political Sign In Waukesha County Criticized

WAUKESHA, WI — Waukesha Alderman Aaron Perry, a candidate for Wisconsin State Assembly in the 97th District, was checking on sign locations in Waukesha County over the weekend.

He came upon a person selling political signs along Highway 59, on the north side of North Prairie. The signs were something that would be seen at a county fair or a gun show, Perry said.

"This was a little bit extra. Signs were comparing (President) Trump to God," he told Patch.

One sign that took him by surprise read, "Just Say No Sleepy Joe" and included a derogatory term toward women to describe Sen. Kamala Harris, the Democratic vice presidential running mate for Joe Biden.

Perry said as much as he sometimes disagrees with other political parties, he would "never call someone that name let alone pay to have it put on a sign, then sell it for money to go towards a campaign."

As a father, Perry said, he is concerned about the message it sends. He said he took his daughter to go golfing for the first time in North Prairie and she asked if it was OK for girls to play.

"Now there is a sign that says it is OK to call women a (degrading name), especially someone as decorated as Harris," Perry told Patch.

Perry added that if Democrats had inappropriate signs in Waukesha County, it would be a big deal.

He said that while his opponent, Rep. Scott Allen, doesn't have the authority over what people put in their yards, he should make a statement against the inappropriate sign since he has voters in the area. He added that Allen has a responsibility to set an example.

Allen's office emailed Patch on Tuesday morning with the following statement:

“I'm reminded of what my very first sales director used to tell me, she'd say, 'Scott if it weren't for poor taste some people would have no taste at all.'”

Perry said inappropriate signs are meant to motivate voters in the wrong way. “I never considered any sign other than with my name on it,” he said.

Perry encourages people to not rely on political signs to determine who to vote for. He recommends voters research each candidate on their ballot.

“We (candidates) are all over social media. My number has been public for eight years; I’m pretty easy to track down,” Perry laughed.