From threats to assault
to assassination attempts
to the actual murder
of politicians and advocates
our nation's heated politics
have made
safety a real issue
when it comes
to running for office.
I'm Here & Now
senior political reporter
Zac Schultz.
I asked the
leading candidates for governor
if the threat of violence
factored into their decision
to run for governor.
The answers were all across
the map
with one candidate saying
running for office
was no more dangerous
than driving in
western Wisconsin on icy roads
while others cited
the deaths of Charlie Kirk
or Minnesota lawmaker
Melissa Hortman as evidence
of how political vitriol
can turn deadly.
Obviously, these candidates
already decided the risk
to them wasn't great enough
to stay out of the race.
As governor, they would have
police protection.
But right now
they're all just
traveling the state
with a couple of
campaign staffers
meeting with small groups
of voters.
That's something
they all stressed.
You can't campaign
in a bubble
and you have to
put your faith in the decency
of Wisconsinites.
For more on this
and other issues visit
pbswisconsin.org
and click on the news tab.