Mysterious political texts, stolen campaign signs, and questionable election interference aren’t just dirty tricks; they’re potentially illegal. Our investigation into Senate 23 reveals a troubling pattern threatening election fairness in Louisiana.
The Surge of Fake Political Texts
Our previous article, Penalty Flag: Fake Political Texts Raise Legal Questions in Senate 23, delved into some vicious lies about the Lafayette Senate special election. An unknown party has been inserting “knowingly false” information into the public psyche for months. These messages claim to come from various organizations, but cursory checks confirm none are legitimate.
The previous article also alluded to these messages starting in November. The bingo event text was sent out on November 3rd (for a November 4th event), claiming to be from Acadiana Progressive Community Outreach, an organization that does not exist. At the time of publication of that article, we didn’t know that another message went out the very next day, aimed at Ashlie Myers Spiker, who ultimately won her race for Assessor of Iberia Parish. That message had been attributed to the Democrat State Committee of Louisiana, which appears to be another false name. The Louisiana Democrats operate under DEMOPAC, which filed no reports for the period covering November.
After our original report, even more fake text messages were sent. One intended for politicos made weird and unrelated accusations against Congressman Clay Higgins and several legislators. Again, another phony name was used: Patriot Watch PAC. Our previous article reminded us that this is illegal under Louisiana Revised Statute 18:1463 C & E and is punishable by up to two years in prison. So far, there appears to be some crossover between consultants, the political campaigns they represented, and the intended beneficiaries of these fake messages (including these newly surfaced ones).
The Battle Over Campaign Signs
Campaign signs are a staple of any election, especially local ones. These signs, often posted on private property, help raise awareness about candidates—particularly those who may not be as well-known to the general public. While they don’t necessarily indicate a candidate’s popularity or qualifications, they have become vital for creating visibility.
In local elections, where personal recognition is key, the absence of campaign signs can send the wrong message. Candidates often hear comments like, “I haven’t seen your signs around,” which can affect the public perception of support. The legal framework around these signs is generally straightforward. Candidates can place them on private property with the owner’s permission if they comply with local regulations.
This brings us to the case where the lawfully placed signs of one candidate for Youngsville Chief of Police were repeatedly removed, damaged, or stolen. If you didn’t hear about this during the election, now that the election is over and these same distasteful tactics have resurfaced in the Senate race, it has become vital to tell the story.
Legal Questions and Election Interference
Louisiana Revised Statute 18:1462 outlines the rules for political signs around polling places:
“Except as otherwise provided by law, it shall be unlawful for any person between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. to perform or cause to be performed any of the following acts within any polling place being used in an election on election day or during early voting or within a radius of six hundred feet of the entrance to any polling place being used in an election on election day or during early voting:
To place or display political signs, pictures, or other forms of political advertising which advocate for or against any candidate, proposition, or political party appearing on the ballot in the election.”
However, this statute also provides a key exception:
“The provisions hereof shall not apply to the placing and displaying either by the owner, lessee, or lawful occupant thereof, or with the consent of such owner, lessee, or occupant of political signs or pictures on private property which is not being used as a polling place.”
This legal framework clearly supports the right to place campaign signs on private property, even when it is within 600 feet of a polling place.
What Happened to Thomassee’s Signs?
Matt Thomassee, a candidate for Youngsville Police Chief, erected campaign signs on private property with the landowner’s permission. Although the property was close to an early voting site, Thomassee ensured the signs were within the legal limits.
On October 18, 2024, Thomassee received a call from Lafayette Parish Registrar of Voters Charlene Meaux Menard, informing him that the signs had been removed. Menard claimed they were “in the ditch” and not on private property, but this assertion was contested. Despite Thomassee’s attempts to clarify that the signs were placed with the owner’s permission, Menard continued to make conflicting claims. One included a vague reference to a “five-foot variance” from the road, which was never clearly explained.
The Attorney General gets involved
Menard sought legal advice from the Attorney General’s Office, who informed her that they could not determine that the signs were not on private property. Thomassee then advised the Registrar he was re-erecting his signs and did so, only to have them removed again on multiple occasions by the Registrar of Voters or by the Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Office at the direction of the Registrar of Voters.
Thomassee then contacted the Attorney General’s Office himself. The attorney Menard had consulted with told him that the Parish Assessor would be the best person to determine whether the signs were on private or public property. When Thomassee contacted the Assessor, he sided with Thomassee, which ended a dispute that had lasted several days.
According to Menard, she had received “multiple complaints” about the signs. However, a later review of public records provided by Menard documented a single complaint by a supporter of another candidate in the race. Menard even told Thomassee that she had contacted J.P. Broussard, who was also running for Chief of Police, and told him he could put his signs up on the same property in controversy!
Unfairness and Overreach
The actions taken by Menard raise several troubling questions about fairness in this local election. If the signs were lawfully placed on private property, why were they removed without clear justification? If they weren’t lawfully placed, why would she instruct an opposing candidate to put signs on the same property—where she has no authority?
What makes this situation even more concerning is the registrar’s apparent inconsistency. Menard initially stated that the signs were improperly placed, but she could not provide any reasons when pressed for specific details or clarification. Instead, she focused on vague or shifting reasons, such as the signs being too close to the road or not within a supposed five-foot margin.
This situation highlights the issue of a public official who is supposed to be neutral appearing to interfere with a campaign. It raises serious concerns about whether Menard acted impartially or used her position to influence the election outcome by limiting one candidate’s visibility.
Sign, Sign, Everywhere a Sign
Message allegedly sent from Craig Spadoni to Matt Thomassee.
As it turns out, the Registrar of Voters was not the only individual who may have been involved in tampering with signs. A Youngsville resident, Craig Spadoni, also allegedly had his hand in stealing signs during the race. On October 5, 2024, Spadoni allegedly texted Matt Thomassee: “Matt, this is Craig Spadoni, I need you to remove all your signs on Bonin Road and Fortune, all down Bonin. You do not have permission to put signs on that property. If they’re not removed by tomorrow morning, they will be removed and thrown in the trash.”
Spadoni also posted several statements about Thomassee on Facebook, including one where he threatened to post “files” about Thomassee’s employment with the Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Office. For most, that may not seem so strange. Although we don’t want to admit it, we all secretly know that most voters aren’t rational, and people always seem to make stupid statements online. But this statement seemed a little different, and when you consider that when Thomassee’s employment with the Sheriff’s Office ended, he was in litigation with the Sheriff. That litigation was subject to a confidential settlement agreement and happened to be in the 15th Judicial District, Parish of Lafayette, where Spadoni’s wife, Cynthia Spadoni, is a Judge.
Over the next few weeks, Thomassee noticed several signs continuing to disappear from the same location on Bonin Road. After weeks of examining and monitoring, Thomassee eventually received a break in the case and reported the thefts to the Youngsville Police Department. According to the Youngsville Police Department, Craig Spadoni was later arrested and released on a citation.
Why This Matters
While removing or stealing campaign signs may seem minor, it can have significant repercussions in a closely contested local election. Tampering with legally placed signs undermines the fairness of the election process. This election interference could create a chilling effect, discouraging other candidates from using signs or even running for office, knowing they might face similar obstacles.
While Spadoni will receive his day in court, the conduct of the Registrar of Voters, Charlene Meaux, presents its own unique challenges. Under Louisiana Revised Statute 18:53, a registrar can be removed for misconduct:
“A registrar shall be subject to removal by the State Board of Election Supervisors for willful misconduct relating to his official duty…”
The perception of fairness is essential in any local or national election. Voters must feel confident that the process is unbiased and that all candidates are given a fair shot. When a public official, such as the Lafayette Parish Registrar of Voters, Charlene Menard, or even a private citizen, like Craig Spadoni, interferes with a candidate’s campaign, it threatens the integrity of the election.
This is another example of election interference that could set a dangerous precedent for future elections in Lafayette Parish and beyond. Removing lawfully erected campaign signs or improperly releasing voters’ documents is more than just an inconvenience; it can impact the democratic process. When public officials and private citizens overstep their authority, it creates an uneven playing field and calls the election’s legitimacy into question. Voters and lawmakers alike must demand accountability. How can voters trust the system if election officials misuse their power and political operatives fabricate messages to mislead the public? This case demands scrutiny—and accountability.
The actions taken by the Registrar of Voters in Lafayette Parish may constitute election interference and demand immediate scrutiny by state election officials. Don’t forget that fifteen votes ultimately decided the election we discussed here.
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Elon Musk and Donald Trump are slashing waste in Washington, and the whole world is watching. Many have said, “That’s great—but we need to do the same thing in Louisiana!”
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