Statehouse District 69 candidate Jeremy Bailie can be seen removing a door hanger at a home and replacing it with a flier of his own.
On the video, wearing a campaign shirt, Jeremy Bailie is secretly recorded by a cellphone camera. He removes his opponent Ray Blacklidge’s door hanger
The person shooting the video can be heard, “He just stole our flier. What the ****?”
Bailie is seen stuffing the flier in his left pocket and replaces it with one of his own.
“Oh my god. What a sneak. Jeremy Bailie, everyone,” said the cellphone photographer.
“I was really disappointed in my opponent,” said Statehouse Candidate Ray Blacklidge.
He said he and others worked hard to raise money for fliers.
“When you’re the candidate and you’re going to be entrusted with the public trust, you don’t steal,” said Blacklidge.
“I was hiding in the bushes. Yeah,” said campaign worker Dylan Kirkhart.
“It’s kind of shocking. Ya know? And it was really, it hurt me because all of my walkers work so hard. They’re walking six to seven hours a day in 95 degree heat,” he said.
8 On Your Side wanted to ask candidate Jeremy Bailie about the video. He didn’t return numerous calls, texts or emails. Nobody answered at his Gulfview condo, across from Stetson University School of Law, where he graduated.
He did call Blacklidge.
“He asked for my forgiveness. He apologized. I said I was disappointed with him. But he does have my forgiveness. But that doesn’t mean he should be the next state representative,” he said.
Blacklidge attributes the theft to his opponent’s age and lack of experience.
He hopes Bailie learns a lesson and runs for office in the future.
