Video shows Kentucky State House candidate take campaign flyer from someone’s mailbox
By Alexis Mathews
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LOUISVILLE, Kentucky (WLKY) — A candidate for the Kentucky House is coming under fire after video shows him taking a campaign flyer from a voter’s mailbox.
Maxwell Morley admits it is him in the video.
Morley is a Democratic candidate running for state representative in District 30, encompassing areas south of the Watterson Expressway. He’s one of three Dems running to replace Daniel Grossberg.
Morley was recently canvassing in the Newburg neighborhood when he was caught on a potential voter’s house camera.
The video shows him walk up and ring the doorbell. He then glances at the mailbox, takes out a piece of mail — another candidate’s postcard — folds it up and places it in his back pocket.
After no one comes to the door, he leaves his flyer and a message for the homeowner.
Morley sent this statement to WLKY:
“While campaigning, I exhibited a lack of judgment. This isn’t acceptable, and it’s something I’m deeply sorry for. I apologize to the homeowner. I want one thing to remain clear: Voters in HD 30 deserve better than their current representative, and I don’t want them to be distracted from the ultimate goal of sending him home.”
Morley’s actions have received backlash and have called into question improper and deceptive campaign practices.
We talked to Jefferson County Clerk David Yates about that kind of behavior during elections.
“I think it’s easy for us to step back and say we think that all candidates should hold themselves to a high level of integrity. Run fair and clean races. Unfortunately, we don’t always see that. But the beautiful thing is the voters get to hold them accountable. So when someone does something that is just egregious, wrong or doesn’t align with your values, you hold them accountable at the ballot box,” Yates said.
Vice Chair of the Louisville Democratic Party, Roz Welch, issued this statement following the video:
“I was disturbed to witness the video of a candidate removing another candidate’s information from a voter’s mailbox. This cycle, we have seen varying activities to confuse and challenge a voter’s right to information. By any other name it is voter suppression at its finest. It’s astounding to know that we have candidates running for office who ignore basic rules like ‘don’t touch voters’ mailboxes or take their mail.’ People are also sharing misinformation via confusing sample ballots. We must challenge the status quo and elect candidates who are fighting for us all.”
Stealing mail is a felony, but it’s unclear whether Morley will face any charges.
The primary election is May 19. The general election is Nov. 3.
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