An envelope containing a “suspicious white powder” was received Saturday at the Republican gubernatorial candidate’s campaign headquarters in Arizona.
An employee at Kari Lake’s campaign headquarters in Phoenix opened an envelope containing white power, a campaign spokesman told CNN.
“It was one of two files seized by law enforcement and sent to Quantico professionals for review, and we await details,” campaign spokesman Colton Duncan told CNN via message. “The member of staff is currently under medical observation.”
Phoenix police told CNN in an email that they responded to a “property call” from 40th Street and Camelback Road.
“When the officers arrived, they learned that there were suspicious items in the mail. Additional resources responded to collect the items and secure the area,” Sgt. Phil Krinsky told CNN. “There are no reports of injuries and the investigation remains active.”
CNN has reached out to the FBI’s Phoenix office for more information.
Lake’s team said it was taking the threat “incredibly seriously” and thanked the authorities for looking into the incident.
“Meanwhile, know that our resolve has never been higher and we cannot be intimidated. We continue to push full speed ahead to win this election on Tuesday,” Duncan said.
Arizona has been a hotbed of extremist anger and threats against politicians and election officials. These threats have been made against both Democratic and Republican leaders.
Lake’s Democratic challenger, current Arizona Secretary of State Katie Hobbs, condemned the behavior directed at her opponent and her staff.
“The incident reported to Kari Lake’s campaign office is incredibly troubling and I am thankful that she and her staff were not injured,” Hobbs’ campaign said. “Political violence, threats or intimidation have no place in our democracy. I strongly condemn this threatening behavior directed at Lake and her staff.”
Hobbs’ campaign office was hacked late last month. A suspect was arrested for this case.
