"Lawmakers described routine death threats, armed protesters in galleries, and explicit fears for spouses and children. Several said the June 2025 assassination of former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband fundamentally changed how they assess the risks of staying in office. Case in point: Connecticut State Rep. Corey Paris, 34, reported death threats and calls for violence against him and his family last year after he posted on social media encouraging people to share information on ICE activity."
""I've gotten threatened in person, in the mailbox, in email, you name it. hate to say it this way, but it's unfortunate how normal it is now," said Smith, 41, who participated in the study. Smith also holds a second job at the University of Delaware and thinks about quitting public service almost daily but his wife urges him to continue."
Interviews with 89 Gen Z and Millennial state lawmakers across 31 states reveal widespread financial strain and mounting safety risks. Eighty-one percent reported legislative pay does not cover the cost of living; the average state legislator salary was $44,320 in 2024. Lawmakers routinely encounter death threats, armed protesters, and direct threats to family members. The June 2025 assassination of a former state House speaker and spouse intensified lawmakers' reassessment of personal risk. Some lawmakers reported online-driven harassment and family-targeted threats, while others balance second jobs and consider leaving office due to safety and compensation pressures. Limited state safety resources compound the problem.
Read at Axios
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