Threats against state lawmakers in Maine have risen sharply over the past few years, mirroring an increase in threats at the national level embodied by the recent shootings of political figures.
The number of threats against state legislators went from 23 reported cases in 2023 to 53 in 2024 before jumping to 75 so far this year, according to data provided Thursday by the Maine Capitol Police in response to a records request from the Bangor Daily News. The data did not include further details on targeted members or the nature of the threats reported.
It comes amid a renewed focus on violence and harsh rhetoric in American politics. Conservative activist Charlie Kirk was assassinated this month in Utah. In June, a gunman in Minnesota went to the homes of state lawmakers, killing a Democrat and her husband and wounding a Democratic state senator and his wife. President Donald Trump survived an assassination attempt last year.
The day after Kirk was killed, police in Biddeford received an emailed threat stating an explosive device was in the mailbox outside the home of House Speaker Ryan Fecteau, a Democrat. Police determined the threat was unfounded. Rep. Laurel Libby, R-Auburn, also said she received a threatening voicemail around the same time.
Fecteau did not have additional comment Thursday regarding the data on threats against state lawmakers, spokesperson Victoria Foley said. Other top Democratic and Republican leaders and their spokespeople did not respond to an emailed request for comment.
The Capitol Police data broke down the totals by month. The highest number of monthly reports tended to coincide with when the Legislature was in session. The top months for threats in 2023 were February and July (four threats) and the top month in 2024 was April (10 threats). So far this year, March topped other months by featuring 16 reported threats against lawmakers.
In 2023, the Maine Capitol Police began to track records in a way that allows them to tally threats against lawmakers, according to Rebecca Graham, the director of policy and legislative affairs for Maine State Police. Additional figures requested by the BDN going back to 2020 would require a significant amount of time to tally, she said.