Arizona Republican Senate candidate Kari Lake received an envelope containing an “unknown substance” at her campaign office building on Tuesday, Phoenix police said.
Police announced Tuesday that the substance had been “tested and determined to be non-hazardous” after police officers and firefighters cleared the building to send in a team to examine the substance.
Police added: “There is no immediate threat to the community and occupants of the building will be allowed access shortly.”
In a social media post, Lake thanked local law enforcement and hazardous materials teams for their “quick and professional response.”
And she accused the “radical left” of orchestrating the incident.
“This is not just about me. It is an attack on our movement. I will not be intimidated and those responsible must be brought to justice,” she said.
The incident occurred just two weeks before the election, against a backdrop of heightened political rhetoric and a spike in threats against public officials.
Last month, election officials in at least five states received suspicious packages containing a powder-like substance. Although these substances were deemed harmless, the protocol required “precautionary evacuations” in most office buildings.
Last November, suspicious letters were sent to election offices and government buildings in at least six states. Some letters contained fentanyl, while others were non-toxic. Still, suspicious mailers delayed vote counting in some local elections, the Associated Press reported.
Following a wave of harassment faced by many election workers during and in the aftermath of the 2020 election, authorities have taken steps to tighten security at election venues and strengthen protection for workers across the country.
