Local legislators targeted by threatening letters last week say there’s no place for that kind of rhetoric in public discourse.
As of Wednesday close to 100 letters had been received by Republican legislators and other public officials that included a white powdery substance. Preliminary testing by the Kansas Bureau of Investigation has indicated the substance poses no threat.
51st District State Rep. Kenny Titus, of Manhattan, received one of the letters at his home address last Friday, opening it part of the way before realizing what it was and immediately contacting authorities.
The letters appear to be politically motivated, tied to recent legislative votes, including a recent ban on
gender-affirming care
Lawmakers had been advised earlier by state officials to be on the lookout for suspicious letters in the mail.
67th District State Rep. Mike Dodson, of Manhattan also received a letter at his home Friday. He says the one-page photocopied note he received Friday, was composed of letters of different sizes and fonts, and an inner packet containing the suspicious white powder.
Locally, letters were also received by 64th District State Rep. Lewis Bloom, of Clay Center, as well as 65th District State Rep. Jeff Underhill and 68th District State Rep. Nate Butler, both of Junction City. State Sen. Usha Reddi, a Manhattan Democrat indicated to KMAN Wednesday she had not received any suspicious letters.
Titus says he’s hopeful incidents like this aren’t an indicator of what’s ahead as Americans prepare for the 2024 presidential election.
Dodson commended the work of RCPD’s Bomb and Hazardous Evidence Recovery Teams, which are among 17 responding agencies across the state to respond since late last week.
The FBI is now leading the investigation along with the Kansas Bureau of Investigation and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.
