Candidate allegedly caught stealing opponent's door fliers in Pinellas Co.

ST. PETERSBURG (FOX 13) - A heated race apparently turned dirty between two Republicans battling it out for a Florida House of Representative’s seat. The Pinellas County Sheriff's Office is stepping in after video appears to show a candidate stealing his opponent's door flyers.

It's a close race between Ray Blacklidge and his Republican counterpart, Jeremy Bailie. Monday, Blacklidge says he watched a dirty and illegal trick being pulled by his opponent.

“We noticed some of the areas where they already put our door hangers on had gone missing," Blacklidge said.

A staffer noticed Bailie was campaigning in the same neighborhood and recorded a video of him that appears to show Bailie walking up and removing Blacklidge's flier and replacing it with his own.

"Sad! Greatly disappointed,” Blacklidge said. “Disappointed is probably the biggest thing."

Blacklidge says at least 50 fliers went missing. 

On Bailie’s website, Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri is listed to have endorsed him. Perhaps awkward, as it's the same sheriff's office that confirms to FOX 13 there is an open investigation surrounding Bailie and his campaign.

"He definitely showed his immaturity that he doesn't have the experience to do this,” Blacklidge said. “He doesn't have the trust that is required to be a state representative."

Bailie couldn't be reached for an interview but is quoted as being apologetic, and Blacklidge says he apologized personally to him.