The FBI responded to the office of Arizona GOP gubernatorial nominee Kari Lake after one of her campaign staffers opened a package containing a white suspicious substance on Saturday, just days before the midterm elections.
According to Lake’s campaign, the staff member opened the envelope holding the white powder and then quickly set it down. The staffer did not open the second, similar envelope.
“Yesterday, a member of the Kari Lake staff opened an envelope delivered to our campaign office that contained suspicious white powder. It was one of two envelopes that were confiscated by law enforcement and sent to professionals at Quantico for examination, and we are awaiting details,” said Lake campaign spokesperson Colton Duncan in a statement.
In addition to the FBI, the Phoenix Fire Department’s hazmat squad also responded to the Republican hopeful’s office. There were no reported injuries, and the staff member is currently under medical supervision.
“Officers responded to a found property call at an office building near 40th St. and Camelback Road,” said Sgt. Phil Krynsky of the Phoenix Police Department. “When officers arrived, they learned there were suspicious items located inside the mail. Additional resources responded to collect the items and secure the area. There have been no reports of injury and the investigation remains active.”
Duncan noted that Lake’s campaign headquarters remain under active investigation and will be closed to staff members until authorities complete their investigation.
“Rest assured, we are taking this security threat incredibly seriously and we are thankful for the Phoenix PD, FBI, first responders, bomb squad, and hazmat crews that responded to this incident,” the spokesperson said. “In the meantime, 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.”
Katie Hobbs, Lake’s Democratic opponent in the race, condemned the suspicious packages that arrived in Lake’s office.
“The reported incident at Kari Lake’s campaign office is incredibly concerning and I am thankful that she and her staff were not harmed,” Hobbs said in a statement. “Political violence, threats, or intimidation have no place in our democracy. I strongly condemn this threatening behavior directed at Lake and her staff.”
The incident occurred less than a week after Hobbs reported to the police that someone broke into her office and stole some items.
