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From threats to assault

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to assassination attempts

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to the actual murder

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of politicians and advocates

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our nation's heated politics

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have made

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safety a real issue

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when it comes

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to running for office.

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I'm Here & Now

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senior political reporter

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Zac Schultz.

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I asked the

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leading candidates for governor

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if the threat of violence

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factored into their decision

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to run for governor.

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The answers were all across

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the map

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with one candidate saying

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running for office

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was no more dangerous

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than driving in

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western Wisconsin on icy roads

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while others cited

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the deaths of Charlie Kirk

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or Minnesota lawmaker

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Melissa Hortman as evidence

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of how political vitriol

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can turn deadly.

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Obviously, these candidates

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already decided the risk

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to them wasn't great enough

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to stay out of the race.

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As governor, they would have

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police protection.

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But right now

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they're all just

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traveling the state

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with a couple of

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campaign staffers

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meeting with small groups

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of voters.

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That's something

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they all stressed.

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You can't campaign

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in a bubble

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and you have to

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put your faith in the decency

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of Wisconsinites.

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For more on this

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and other issues visit

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pbswisconsin.org

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and click on the news tab.