The escalating threat of political violence is profoundly affecting elected officials, especially younger generations, influencing their decisions to run for office, remain in their positions, and how they conduct their public service. This concern has become a central theme among state lawmakers, who increasingly feel their safety is at risk due to heightened polarization and radicalized rhetoric.
Recent high-profile incidents have amplified these fears. The "night of terror" in Minnesota, where a gunman attacked state lawmakers and their families, killing one representative and injuring another, sent shockwaves through the political community. Shortly thereafter, the fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, at a campus event, further heightened anxieties among young, politically engaged individuals about the safety of civic participation.
"It was terrifying and it was horrible and I will never forget where I was when I heard the news of Charlie Kirk," said Katie Fire Thunder, a 26-year-old Democratic member of the Montana House of Representatives. Fire Thunder, who was preparing to enter public service at the time of Kirk's death, contemplated whether the calling to serve was worth the potential risks.
Young politicians across both parties report a similar internal conflict: a strong desire to enact change and serve their communities is increasingly weighed against the growing risk of violent retribution. Beyond the usual challenges of public service, such as demanding schedules and constant fundraising, the threat of violence has become a significant deterrent.
Discussions at a recent gathering of Gen Z and millennial state lawmakers, organized by the bipartisan Future Caucus, heavily focused on security concerns. While the event aimed to provide guidance on modernizing legislatures and crafting policy, a persistent question loomed: Who will run for public office, and who will stay?
Security measures at the summit were notably stringent, mirroring practices from the previous year which occurred shortly after the Minnesota killings. Enhanced security, coupled with panels discussing the trade-offs of public service, underscored the delicate balance young politicians must strike between maintaining openness and accessibility and safeguarding their digital and physical security.
"Most electeds have to use social media in order to be successful and it also opens us up to critical attacks from people whose identities we can’t often verify," explained Tiara Mack, a 32-year-old Democratic state senator from Rhode Island. Mack recounted receiving numerous death threats and experiencing doxxing, where her home address and apartment floor plans were leaked online after a video of her went viral. The incident, which led to bomb squad dogs searching her building, prompted her to re-evaluate her career.
To mitigate risks, Mack and her colleagues have adopted a "post-and-ghost" policy online, refraining from reading or responding to comments. Event locations are shared only after RSVPs are confirmed, and personal locations are not posted until after departure. Mack also noted a shift in personal preparedness, including discussions among colleagues about obtaining concealed weapons permits, a conversation that is increasingly necessary for many, particularly women of color.
Policy changes are also being implemented. Minnesota and 24 other states have passed laws allowing campaign funds to cover security measures such as cameras and home security systems, many following the 2025 Minnesota shootings. The Minnesota state capitol, which once had an open-door policy, now implements weapons screenings at entrances, and law enforcement communication systems have been significantly improved.
Despite these measures, a sense persists that they are only stopgaps. The reactions to recent killings, including the spread of conspiracy theories and dismissive social media commentary, highlight the normalization of extreme rhetoric and the continued threat of violence. Future Caucus research indicates that political violence, fueled by hyperpartisan rhetoric, is a major obstacle for aspiring and current state legislators.
Surveys by the Brennan Center for Justice in 2023 revealed that approximately 40% of state legislators and 20% of local officeholders reported experiencing threats or attacks since 2020. Officials who are women and nonwhite reported more physical threats, while Republicans were more likely to report an increase in the severity of abuse. The practice of "swatting"—prank calls to emergency services—remains a persistent threat, with high-profile figures like Justice Amy Coney Barrett and Pete Buttigieg being recent targets.
Younger legislators, often without established financial bases and juggling family or other careers, find these security concerns compound the already significant challenges of public service. "Especially with young people, they are seeing it way more firsthand than any other generation," Fire Thunder stated. "It’s a fear tactic of if you are running and you are standing up and being vocal on these issues, we are going to come after you."
Fire Thunder recounted a recent incident where a disgruntled citizen at a public comment session issued threats to a transgender legislator. This experience underscored her awareness of potential armed threats in public spaces, even without formal security present. As she campaigns for her first full term, her team prioritizes safety planning. "The biggest negative impact of it isn’t even on me," she said. "I don’t want other young people seeing the threats and things that I’m getting to discourage them."