The latest high-profile act of political violence in the United States has left local elected officials very concerned both about the possible factors that led to the shootings and what lies ahead in terms of their public service.
On June 14, a gunman allegedly killed former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband at their Brooklyn Park, Minnesota home after wounding another state senator and his wife in Champlin, Minnesota. The suspect also reportedly targeted many other elected officials. After a two-day search, he was later apprehended and now faces a series of charges in connection with the crimes.
The Minnesota carnage represented just the latest example of violence, as members of both political parties have either been shot or targeted within the past few years.
State Rep. Bob Morgan (D-58) said he was “shocked and shaken” when he heard about the shootings, noting he was familiar with Hortman, but had not met her.
Morgan mentioned he quickly contacted local law enforcement to see if there were any threats against anyone locally.
“Unfortunately, this is not the first time we have had to go down this path and consider our own safety and safety of our colleagues,” Morgan said.
After this latest attack, Morgan acknowledges concerns over his safety are factoring into how he interacts with the public.
“This situation is forcing elected officials to really consider how they respond to situations like this,” said Morgan, conceding he has personally received threats. “It’s unfortunately a real consideration that any time I am going to have a public event I have to think about what the security situation is.”
While political violence has existed throughout American history, Morgan senses a change in today’s political climate.
“We are certainly more divided than we have ever been in my lifetime,” he said. “We are self-segregating both physically where we live, but also the bubbles we exist and operate on within social media. I do think it is allowing extremism on the far left and far right to dominate the conversation and dominate the media coverage.”
Rep. Marty McLaughlin (R-52) labeled the shootings as “disgusting, reprehensible, and grotesque,” and there was no excuse for it.
Yet like Morgan, McLaughlin was not shocked, given the current atmosphere.
“I’d like to say I was surprised, but unfortunately, the temper and tone of political rhetoric has been out of control for quite some time,” he said. “That’s been the case for all sides.”
McLaughlin, who, like Morgan, said there have been threats made against him, spoke of his worries over the use of social media and how it can be traced to the acts of violence.
“Social media allows everyone to have a device in their hand where they can be the king of the universe and they can state opinions that they would never state in a public forum. It gives them a sense of authority and a sense of being right all the time,” he said. “I don’t think that is healthy, and I think that is evident in our younger generation, and I think a lot of our increases in mental health and behavioral health issues, there is a direct correlation to everyone being keyboard warriors and living within their social media presence and platform.”
McLaughlin hopes for a change in rhetoric at all levels, and the same people who debate issues rigorously might go to the same coffee shop after a meeting.
“The continuing separation of political lines forgets that together as a country we are so much further ahead than every other nation in the world; we might want to remind each other of that once in a while,” he said. “We might want to go back to a time where collaboration and compromise is something we celebrate instead of vilify.”
Both Morgan and McLaughlin said in spite of the latest shooting, they do plan to continue their work.
“For me, public service is the most important thing I can do to contribute and that is not going to scare me away from doing my job. These are very real situations and anything we can do to reduce this kind of violence, we need to do it and do it quickly,” Morgan said.
McLaughlin spoke of the need for voices for people looking to work together.
“The last thing you want is having people in the job who only want to make vile, extreme points,” he said. “You want those in the job who are doing it because they are trying to come to a compromise and work with everyone. Many people won’t run for office because of the vile nature of politics.”
He added, “I’ll continue to call out people who determine a viral moment is more important than a collaborative moment.”
Local law enforcement mentioned their practices for protecting politicians and others.
“We have safety protocols and procedures in place for instances of this nature, which include communications with our public safety partners and our local elected officials,” Lake Forest Police Chief John Burke explained in an e-mail.
Lake County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Chief Christopher Covelli offered a similar sentiment to Burke, adding his office is responsible for protecting local judges.
“If there is a bona fide threat that arises, we investigate it quickly and work to hold the person who made the threat accountable,” he said.
One aspect of the Minnesota shooting was that the suspect was reportedly imitating a police officer during his shooting spree. Covelli spoke of precautions the public can take if they fear the authenticity of someone claiming to be a member of law enforcement.
“We certainly understand the concern community members may have, especially when you have a coward impersonating a police officer to commit harm and taking that sacred position in our society and using it against a member of our society,” Covelli said. “If there is any doubt whatsoever, call local law enforcement.”
Daniel I. Dorfman is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
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