MULKITEO, Washington — A Muslim candidate for the House of Representatives says he was attacked while putting up a campaign sign and believes it was a hate crime.

Riaz Khan, in an interview with KOMO News, said the incident happened at 2 a.m. Tuesday near Mukilteo Speedway and Goat Trail Road. He said he was outside at the time to check his signs because many had recently been stolen.

Khan said he was hammering his signs when two men approached, shouting racial and ethnic slurs, and attacked. He also said they yelled at him because he was a Trump supporter. Khan said he was beaten with sticks by the unknown men, who then left the scene.

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

Mukilteo police reports, obtained by KOMO News, show police arrived shortly after his 911 call but found no suspects. An officer said Khan did not appear injured and refused medical treatment. There is no surveillance video in the area. A report was also filed regarding the signs allegedly stolen the previous week, records show.

His opponent in the race, Democratic incumbent Strom Peterson, told KOMO News: “Political violence clearly has no place in our society. We must be extra vigilant and take care of each other, whatever our political side.”

Police told KOMO News that detectives have been assigned to the case and will investigate “possible targeting based on religious, racial or political beliefs.”