Steve Pearce (Photo by Heath Haussamen)
Three Republican congressional candidates from New Mexico are denouncing acts and threats of violence that, thus far, have been aimed mostly at House Democrats who have supported health-care reform legislation.
“I condemn any violent acts and making threats against elected officials – of either party – and their family members. The lawbreakers should be fully investigated and prosecuted,” said Steve Pearce, the Republican challenging U.S. Rep. Harry Teague, D-N.M., in the 2nd Congressional District.
“Violence only begets more violence. We must express ourselves through the ballot box and the written word. We can do that without violence,” said Tom Mullins, one of two Republicans challenging U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján in the 3rd District.
Tom Mullins
Mullins’ primary opponent, Adam Kokesh, agreed.
“While recent political debates have gotten understandably heated, there is no excuse for turning to violence or personal attacks to make a point,” he said. “The founders of this country blessed us with a system through which all debates can be settled peacefully, through the ballot box. Let us honor them and our Constitution by keeping our discourse civil, lobbying our representatives respectfully, and seeking change by changing hearts and minds through inspiration, not fear.”
Pearce, Mullins and Kokesh join many Republicans and Democrats in Washington in denouncing the threats and violence that have been grabbing headlines since the president signed the health-care legislation into law on Tuesday.
Adam Kokesh
At least 10 House Democrats have reported “death threats or incidents of harassment or vandalism at their district offices over the past week,” the Washington Post is reporting. One member had a coffin left on the lawn in front of his home. The brother of another had a gas line cut at his home.
But Democrats may not be the only ones targeted. Rep. Eric Cantor, R-Virginia and the minority whip, said at a news conference today that he had also received a threatening e-mail. And a Republican congresswoman from Ohio has reportedly received a threatening phone message.
Cantor also said a bullet had been fired into his campaign office building sometime in the last two days. Police later said the bullet had been randomly fired skyward and came down through a window and landed a foot inside the building, The Associated Press is reporting.
While condemning the threats and violence, Mullins said New Mexicans, “like many Americans, feel like their voices have not been heard. They are frustrated, angry, and frankly very disappointed with our elected officials.”
He said he has received threats on the campaign trail, but wouldn’t elaborate beyond saying there have been two or three instances in which there were “threats of physical abuse if we don’t leave town or an area.”
I’ve asked New Mexico’s congressmen and the other congressional candidates for comment on the situation. If I receive additional statements, you’ll see them here.
Update, 1:15 p.m.
Green Party 1st Congressional District candidate Alan Woodruff had this to say:
“The threats of violence and personal attacks on members of Congress is the inevitable consequence of negative rhetoric of the Republican opposition to everything President Obama and the Democrats are doing. I don’t agree with everything the administration is doing, but I deplore the negative, attack tactics that have come to characterize the political process – including campaigns.
“We, as political candidates, must do everything we can to bring the country together by promoting rational debate and a full discussion of the issues. The example set by political ‘leaders’ is a disgrace.”
Update, 8:25 p.m.
Republican 1st District candidate Jon Barela had this to say:
“The violence and threats of physical harm that have been levied against members of Congress are deplorable, and the perpetrators should be punished.
“We are privileged to live in a peaceful democracy, where we can express our grievances and opinions about government activities in a myriad of legitimate ways, violence never being one of them; and, ultimately, we are blessed to have the right and responsibility to select those we send to Washington to represent us. These senseless threats and acts must stop immediately.”
Luján spokesman Mark Nicastre said this:
“We need to maintain a healthy, respectful debate free from heated rhetoric, violence and intimidation. It’s what the people of New Mexico and the people of our country deserve. Anything less is unacceptable.”
Update, March 26, 7:30 a.m.
Teague said this:
“Over the course of the last year I held over 100 public meetings throughout the 2nd Congressional District and health-care reform was almost always a topic of discussion. Southern New Mexicans on both sides of the issue were passionate about their beliefs, but things never got out of control and no one resorted to violence. I do think that these recent incidents of hate filled speech, violence and other threats against elected officials and their families are dangerous and only serve to undermine the public debate.”
A prior version of this posting incorrectly identified Woodruff as a Libertarian. This article has been updated to reflect new information about the situation involving Cantor.