For years, Barrington politicians scoffed at lawn signs.

A "gentleman's agreement" between the two parties cast decades ago all but guaranteed that Barrington's front yards and busy intersections would be free of local candidates' political lawn signs. Some said they did not want to clutter the well-kept yards in town while others went along with the agreement because that was the how the parties wanted it.

But that is not the case anymore.

All along Barrington's roads is evidence of the upcoming elections — a primary in early September and the general election in November. There are some lawn signs for Jason Knight, including two tacked high up on a utility pole near the intersection of Sowams Road and County Road. Mr. Knight is an incumbent running for re-election to the District 67 seat in the Rhode Island House of Representatives. 

A Democrat, Mr. Knight is running against Warren resident Daryl Gould, who represents the Libertarian party.

There are some lawn signs for Patrick McCrann, a Democrat running for a spot on the Barrington School Committee, and others advertising David Aucoin, an East Providence resident who is running against the incumbent Cindy Coyne for the District 32 seat in the Rhode Island Senate. 

There are plenty of signs covered with the names of candidates for state offices, such as Aaron Regunberg (Lt. Governor), Gina Raimondo (Governor), and Allan Fung (Governor).

Liana Cassar has some lawn signs posted around Barrington, too. Ms. Cassar is a Democrat running for the District 66 seat in the Rhode Island House of Representatives. The Barrington resident and first-time candidate said she does not know who the "gentlemen" were who first came up with the agreement, but believes there are some good reasons for using the lawn signs.

"I don't know that signs are very effective in convincing anybody … it's more of a motivator for people to engage in the political process," said Ms. Cassar.

"This reflects that we have more engagement — people wanting to get the message out."

District 66 includes Barrington and portions of Riverside, and Ms. Cassar has signs in both towns. She said there are clear benefits to using political lawn signs, just as there are in advertising through the media and knocking on constituents' doors. 

Ms. Cassar's opponent in the primary race for the District 66 seat can appreciate the value of sharing his name and ideas with voters, but he's not ready to abandon the gentleman's agreement. Barrington resident and Democrat John Chung said has passed out dozens of lawn signs in Riverside, but none in Barrington.

"I've always thought it was a good idea," said Mr. Chung about not using lawn signs in town. "I've always thought it was one of the quaint charming features of living in Barrington. I still feel that way."

Mr. Chung, a lawyer and law professor, said he was not sure whether his opponent was gaining an advantage because she chose to place lawn signs in Barrington, or if she might be alienating residents who fondly remember the old gentleman's agreement.

"I understand the risk I'm taking by abiding by that agreement and I won't know the answer until Sept. 12," Mr. Chung said, referring to the date of the primary election. "I've known about this agreement ever since I moved to town. When I decided to run for this seat, I took it for granted that this is part of what living in Barrington is all about. I really didn't give it a lot of thought. .. We have an agreement that we don't put up lawn signs so I don't put up lawn signs."

Ms. Cassar said she gave the issue some consideration, weighing the benefits against the drawbacks. She said name recognition is one of the challenges facing first-time candidates, and lawn signs can help with that. Ms. Cassar said she has given out about 30 lawn signs across Barrington and Riverside.

Some history

In 2016, a few candidates, including Republican James Kazounis, decided to put up political lawn signs in town.

Mr. Kazounis was running against Democrat Cindy Coyne for the District 32 seat and was asked for a lawn sign by one of his supporters. That person — a Barrington resident — placed the sign near the intersection of Primrose Hill Road and Route 114 South. It was not long before the sign caught the attention of some Barrington Democrats.

June Speakman, who had been leader of the Barrington Democratic Town Committee, contacted Geoff Grove, who had been leader of the Barrington Republic Town Committee.

"He wrote me an email in which he said they had an extensive discussion and would not be abiding with the agreement," Ms. Speakman said during an interview in 2016. "I told Cindy they're not talking their signs down. Feel free to do what you want."

Before long, lawn signs for local candidates sprang up all over Barrington. 

Ms. Cassar said there is a silver lining for folks who would rather not see lawn signs all over Barrington:

"I understand if people don't like them, I get it, but it's a short season," she said. "They will be cleared out after elections."

Mr. Chung said he plans on continuing to honor the agreement.

"An agreement is an agreement and either people follow it or they don't," he said. "It's up to the other candidates to do what they think is right."