Thousands of signs promoting the political ambitions of President Bush have gone missing. Hundreds more have been damaged, says the state Republican Party’s executive director.

Ditto, says the man running Sen. John Kerry’s Maine campaign.

Both say the vandalism to and outright theft of the signs is costly – in terms of silencing free speech as well as in terms of money.

“Over a third of our signs have been stolen,” said Dwayne Bickford, the state GOP’s executive director. That translates to about 5,000 signs. Bickford said the party put out about 15,000 Bush/Cheney signs across Maine.

The smaller 14-by-22-inch signs most common in the state cost about $1 each when purchased in bulk, Bickford said. Larger 4-by-8-foot signs often seen at traffic circles or major intersections represent a $40 investment by the party, he added.

Jesse Derris, spokesman for the Kerry campaign in Maine, said “thousands of signs” have been planted in front of homes and along rights of way statewide.

“Yes,” he said, “some have been taken, stolen or damaged.”

In Bangor, he said, police are investigating vandalism to about 100 Kerry/Edward signs that were ripped up and left in a heap with a note on top “left by local Republicans.”

Police in Lewiston say they’ve received only one such complaint, filed Oct. 14, concerning a Kerry sign on Rachel Boulevard.

Stealing or damaging political signs are crimes, said Lt. Michael McGonagle. A person could be charged with theft or criminal mischief.

“If we find someone attempting to limit exposure for one candidate in favor of another, we’ll certainly prosecute,” McGonagle said.

Auburn police said they’ve had few complaints since the official Oct. 2 start to the political sign season in that city. A few signs were pulled out earlier, prompting a couple of complaints, said a watch commander.

While top-of-the-ticket candidate signs are being targeted statewide, people seeking lesser offices aren’t immune to losing signs or seeing them damaged.

Signs urging re-election of U.S. Rep. Mike Michaud have been stolen in Auburn, said Democratic Committee Chairman Ed Desgrosseilliers.

And state Senate candidates from Auburn to Woodstock to Greene and Leeds have fallen victim to political vandals and thieves.

Stolen or damaged signs have been reported in New Gloucester, Buckfield, Woodstock and Bridgton.

“Certainly I’ve seen some damage to signs in previous campaigns,” said the GOP’s Bickford. This year, however, “is worse than I’ve ever seen.”

Derris said a certain degree of sign theft and vandalism is expected as “a part of campaigning. It shouldn’t be, but is.”

Added Desgrosseilliers: “This type of activity happens every election season.”