The headquarters of the Republican Party of Eau Claire County in Wisconsin was vandalized overnight Friday, prompting a police investigation in Altoona.
The building’s owner discovered the damage early Saturday morning. Red spray paint covered the windows with the words “Pedophile Protectors,” and eggs had been thrown at the property, leaving yolks smeared across the glass and shells scattered along the walkway.
Fred Kappus, chairman of the Republican Party of Eau Claire County, condemned the incident and suggested it was politically motivated.
“We feel this is just a wanton act of vandalism done against the Republican Party by somebody on the left,” Kappus said. Referring to the slogan painted on the building, he added that the perpetrator appeared to suffer from what he described as “Trump Derangement Syndrome.”
Local law enforcement is investigating the vandalism. No suspects have been publicly identified.
The UW–Eau Claire College Republicans issued a statement expressing support for the county party and denouncing the damage.
“This kind of behavior is unacceptable and has no place in our community,” the group said, calling the county party a valued partner.
The Altoona incident is the latest in a series of vandalism cases targeting Republican offices in recent years. In 2018, a Nebraska Republican campaign office had a window smashed and “ABOLISH ICE” written nearby. That same year, vandals targeted the Metropolitan Republican Club in Manhattan following protests tied to a conservative speaker event.
In 2019, Republican Party headquarters in Lansing, Michigan, was defaced with graffiti referencing Immigration and Customs Enforcement ahead of a federal enforcement operation. More recently, in March 2025, the Republican Party headquarters in New Mexico was damaged in what authorities described as a deliberate act of arson.
Kappus called the Altoona vandalism a “despicable” act and emphasized that political disagreements should not escalate into property damage or violence.
“While we live in a time of great political division, vandalism or violence has no place in our community,” he said.
The Republican Party of Eau Claire County is offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and prosecution of those responsible. Officials have urged anyone with information to contact the Altoona Police Department.
