A Muslim state house candidate says he was attacked while putting up a campaign sign and believes it was a hate crime.

Riaz Khan said the incident occurred at 2 a.m. in Mukilteo, Washington, while he was checking on his signs after many had recently been stolen.

Khan said he was hammering in signs when two men approached, yelled racial and ethnic slurs, and attacked him. He added that they also yelled at him about being a Trump supporter and hit him with sticks before leaving the scene.

Khan is running as a Republican in the 21st District but has been a longtime Democrat and Mukilteo City Council member.

Mukilteo police reports show that officers arrived shortly after his 911 call but could not locate any suspects. An officer said Khan appeared uninjured and refused treatment. There is no surveillance video in the area. A report had also been filed over the alleged stolen signs the previous week, records show.

Khan’s opponent in the race, Democrat incumbent Strom Peterson, said, “Political violence clearly has no place in our society. We need to be extra vigilant and take care of one another no matter what side of the political spectrum we are on.”

According to police, detectives have been assigned to the case, which will investigate “possible targeting based on religious, racial or political beliefs.”