A candidate running for a seat on Tecumseh's town council has expressed regret after what he calls a moment of weakness while canvassing over the weekend.
Daniel Hofgartner is running in Ward One and was going door to door on Saturday when he found literature from his opponent in a homeowner's mailbox.
"In a weak moment, I put it in my pocket, thinking I would read it later," he explained to WindsorNewsToday.ca.
The incident was caught on video, and the homeowner posted on social media.
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Nikki Cragg did not wish to speak with WindsorNewsToday.ca. She did authorize the use of the video.
Soon after the video appeared online, Hofgartner said he reached out to Alicia Higgison and apologized. He also posted his apology on the Facebook group Tecumseh Comes Together.
"The public will make up their own mind on how they feel about me as a person in this community," said Hofgartner. "I'm terribly sorry that this happened. It's affecting me, my wife, my family and obviously, all my friends."
Asked if she plans to pursue the matter, Higgison didn't say. She's focused on getting the vote out, which in Tecumseh starts on Friday.
"It is disappointing," she said. "I tell my younger volunteers -- I tell them all the time, that their actions speak when their words can not, and they should remind themselves that they're probably on camera."
Higgison added she is seeing a lot of voter frustration and apathy while canvassing, and an incident like the one on Saturday doesn't help restore trust.
Meanwhile, Hofgartner is still thinking about his next steps.
"The Town of Tecumseh has not asked me anything yet. I'm sure they will today at some point," he said. "I've been talking with several advisors on what I should do or not do, and I really haven't made a final decision."