The FBI and U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) are investigating suspicious mail sent to election and congressional offices nationwide ahead of the Nov. 3 midterms, after some letters contained an unknown substance, the FBI said.
The Associated Press reported that offices of U.S. Sens. Lisa Blunt Rochester, Alex Padilla and Kirsten Gillibrand were among those sent suspicious mail; some was intercepted before delivery. CBS News reported that letters went to at least six Democratic Senate offices, with most stopped before reaching their destinations. The office of Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer was also among the targets, CBS said.
Oklahoma’s State Election Board said it received an envelope containing suspicious white powder on Oct. 13 and evacuated its office. Oklahoma State Election Board Secretary Paul Ziriax said no staff members were harmed. The board said the incident would not affect its ability to conduct elections.
Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose said U.S. Postal Service investigators intercepted a mailing with a white powdery substance before it reached his office. LaRose said the FBI is handling the case in Ohio.
In Wisconsin, the Wisconsin Elections Commission said staff found a suspicious mail piece on Oct. 14 and left it unopened. Field testing detected no hazardous material, and the commission reported no injuries or health effects. Wisconsin Elections Commission Administrator Meagan Wolfe said, “This incident will not shake us.”
The National Association of State Election Directors and the National Association of Secretaries of State said on Oct. 14 that election offices maintain security measures and plans for contingencies. In their joint statement, the groups said election administrators “should never fear for their safety” while carrying out their duties.
Suspicious mailings were sent to election offices in November 2023. An FBI and USPIS statement to election officials said four letters contained fentanyl, The Associated Press reported.
Authorities have not identified a sender or publicly provided a confirmed total of mailings. The next national election is Nov. 3, when the midterms take place.
