Thugs Allegedly Steal Romney Yard Sign, Beat Up Owner
[Whitewater, Wisc…] A son of a prominent Republican lawmaker says he was assaulted in this college town Friday by individuals who were stealing his Romney/Ryan political yard sign.According to Senator Neal Kedzie (R-Elkorn) his son Sean was awakened by noises outside his residence in Whitewater early on Friday Morning.
“As he went to see what the commotion was about, he noticed an individual removing a Romney/Ryan yard sign from his property. He yelled to the person that they were taking something not theirs and to return it immediately,” Kedzie said in a statement. “The individual returned the sign, however, a second person confronted and attacked Sean without warning.”
In an interview with a Milwaukee talk radio host, Sean Kedzie said his attackers made several statements against Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney and in favor of Democratic President Barack Obama during the beat down.
The Senator describes in further detail the assault his son was subjected to.
“Sean was wrestled to the ground by both persons, held down by a constricting chokehold, and struck repeatedly about the face and head. He nearly passed out from the chokehold and suffered contusions to his face and eyes,” Kedzie said. “Fortunately, an alert neighbor heard the commotion, scared the individuals away, and called the police.”
The Senator and his wife received a telephone call from Sean’s roommate a short time later, who alerted them that their son had been taken by ambulance to Fort Atkinson Memorial Hospital.
Sean Kedzie was treated for his injuries and released from the hospital the same day.
“As this was a private family matter, we chose not to remark publicly about it and allow law enforcement to do their job,” Kedzie said in his statement, which was also posted on Facebook. “But we understand these types of incidents will eventually become public and questions will arise, particularly in my position as a state legislator.”
Kedzie said he’s confident his son will eventually make a full recovery.
“But obviously, as parents, we are shaken by this event and very troubled it was apparently initiated and motivated for political reasons,” said Kedzie.
Sean Kedzie lives in a residential neighborhood away from the local college campus. The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, with an enrollment of more than 11,500 students, is part of the University of Wisconsin System.
The city of Whitewater’s population is 14,390.
We will update this story with comments from the City of Whitewater Department if and when they are received.