(Albany, NY) – In response to recent events targeting elected officials and candidates, State Senator Shelley B. Mayer and Assemblymember Alex Bores announced today that they sent a letter to Henry Berger and Peter Kosinski, Co-Chairs of the New York State Board of Elections to request that the Board issue an advisory opinion on whether campaign funds or public matching dollars can be used to pay for security expenses related to both campaign activities and, in the case of campaign funds, governmental duties. 

The Legislators asked the State Board of Elections, “Are security expenses…incurred as a direct result of campaign activity or position in public office a permissible use of campaign funds in New York?” Additionally, they asked if this is a permissible use of matching funds and if so, what the restrictions and limitations exist. 

These questions have become increasingly relevant to public servants, candidates, and prospective candidates grappling with the heightened risk of political violence. 

On April 13 of this year, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro’s home was set on fire during an alleged political assassination attempt, while the Governor and his family slept inside on the first night of Passover. According to authorities, the perpetrator also planned to attack Governor Shapiro with a sledgehammer. Thankfully, nobody was hurt during this attack. 

Just two months later, our country saw the tragic assassination of Minnesota House Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, along with the attempted assassination of Minnesota State Senator John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette. 

Most recently, on September 10, we saw the horrific assassination of Charlie Kirk, the conservative political activist, at Utah Valley University during an event. 

In just the past five months, a series of alarming incidents has prompted state and local officials — as well as candidates across the country — to review their own security measures. While these recent events have intensified concerns, they are part of a broader pattern over the past five years that includes the 2020 kidnapping plot against Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, the 2022 attack on Paul Pelosi, and the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump in 2024. 

Even more state and local officials around the country reported experiencing harassment, threats of violence, and even attacks. In a 2023 survey conducted by the Brennan Center, more than 40% of responding state lawmakers reported receiving threats within the last three years; women and people of color were even more likely to be the targets of abuse. 

State Senator Shelley B. Mayer said, “Violence has no place in our politics or our civil society. As an elected official, I have always tried to foster a culture where we can disagree respectfully and without questioning our shared love of country. But we have to reckon with the sad reality that not everyone shares those principles and there are real threats of political violence to people in public life. 

“It is vital that people do not retreat from public service out of fear of violence. Public service demands that we can carry out our duties with integrity and without fear for our personal safety. Just as importantly, our legislative staff, who work tirelessly on behalf of the public, deserve to feel safe and supported in their workplaces. We must do everything in our power to ensure their safety and security. 

“I am eager for these questions to be answered by the Board of Elections  so we can continue taking the necessary steps to ensure the safety of candidates, legislators and our dedicated staff.”

Assemblymember Alex Bores said, “Political violence is a disease that is rapidly spreading through American politics. While we need to address the structural problems urgently, New York should also be taking steps to keep candidates safe in the immediate term. The sad reality is that candidates need to be able to spend on security to address threats to their personal safety. I look forward to working with the BoE on this issue.”

###