Vandals take aim at school board candidate

STOCKTON, Calif. (KTVU) - Stockton police are investigating a possible hate crime after vandals targeted a school district board candidate who has been a champion for people with disabilities.

Doug Vigil was born without ears.

After years of reconstructive surgery and hearing aids, he has gained the use of his hearing.

Vigil said he woke up Sunday morning to find a message scrawled outside his home.

The spray-painted messages said: "Quit" and "No Special Ed on Board.”

Vigil said the words were hurtful and brought him to tears.

"I'm not running for city council. It's a school board," he said.

For years, Vigil has been advocating for those with disabilities.

He was instrumental in getting sign language signers at public city meetings.

Vigil said he will not be deterred from continuing his campaign for a seat on the Stockton School District board.

"I'm trying to advocate to parents that your kid is not broken, they can do whatever they want to do," he said.

The vandalism targeted at Vigil has moved community members and city leaders to stand in support of him.

Many people showed up at his house to help remove the graffiti off his property.

Police said so far, they have no leads in the case.