Even though he’s no longer running for the Missouri House of Representatives District Seat No. 13 incumbent Vic Allred thrust himself into the race last week with less than a month to go.
Vic Abundis, Park Hill High School teacher and Democratic candidate for the seat, contacted the Platte County Citizen this week to pull advertising because it contained the phrase “Pic Vic.”
Abundis explained that he had received a letter from attorney Joel B. Laner of Kansas City, demanding the use of the phrase stop. The Platte County Citizen obtained a copy of the letter along with supporting materials from Laner. Laner also provided the campaign with legal documents showing trademark protections for the phrase.
The letter is addressed to Friends for Vic Abundis and states that Laner had been asked by Allred and Missourians for Vic Allred to “represent” them in the matter.
The letter demands the use of the phrase stop and threatens legal action if the campaign does not stop using it. The letter further states that Allred may decide to pursue an investigation into whether or not Abundis’ campaign knew the phrase was protected.
“If necessary our clients will enjoin further wrongful use,” the letter states. “If the Friends have knowingly violated the Missourians for Vic Allred and Mr. Allred’s rights in and to the phrase, the Friends will have significantly increased their legal and financial exposure.”
The Citizen emailed Allred’s official state account for comment but did not receive a response before press time.
Included with the letter was a copy of a mailer Abundis’ campaign sent out addressed to one of Allred’s family members at his Parkville home. Abundis told the Citizen he sent out mailers with the “Pic Vic” slogan to homes in the area.
Allred dropped out of the race just days after the Aug. 4, 2020 primary leaving the Platte County Republican Central Committee scrambling to find a replacement. The committee enlisted local businessman Sean Pouche to oppose Abundis. Pouche’s father, Fred Pouche, served three terms in the Missouri House of Representatives for District 13.
Abundis told the Citizen he will be consulting his attorney about the matter and said it’s annoying that Allred would interject himself in the race after dropping out.
“At a time when our country should remain focused on Covid-19 and its dangerous consequences, Vic Allred, the candidate who dropped out of the District 13 race has the audacity to send me a cease-and-desist letter for using the phrase,” Abundis said. “The focus should clearly be on who can represent District 13 the best in Jefferson--and I’m the real Vic that can do just that.”