Opinion: Bay Area local leaders need protection against threats of violence

"A Bay Area resident was charged in October with a felony for emailing death threats, laden with racial slurs, to Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee. You are a psychopath, read one email directed at Lee. And I'm going to torture and murder you. Other emails mentioned killing Oakland police officers, judges and other government officials, according to police. Also last month, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed into law AB 789 to address escalating threats, harassment and violence against elected officials at the state level."

"Although AB 789 is good news for our state legislators, it fails to address the problem for Bay Area elected leaders serving on city councils, county boards of supervisors and school boards, among other offices. Far too often, it's at these local levels where many of our elected officials and public figures suffer ongoing harassment and threats of violence. In response, community leaders often pay for bodyguards and other security measures out of their own pockets."

"I'm concerned not only that qualified candidates will refrain from running for office, but also that these threats will keep voters from showing up to the polls. In a 2024 report, Intimidation of State and Local Officeholders, the Brennan Center for Justice found that more than 40% of all state legislators experienced threats or attacks within three years, while over 18% of local officeholders faced similar targeting."

Elected officials at state and local levels face escalating threats, harassment and violence, including explicit death threats to Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee and threats against police and judges. Governor Gavin Newsom signed AB 789, coauthored by Assemblymember Mia Bonta, raising security spending from a $10,000 lifetime cap to $10,000 annually for state legislators. AB 789 does not extend protections or funding to many local officeholders, who often endure ongoing harassment and sometimes pay for bodyguards and security personally. The Brennan Center found over 40% of state legislators and more than 18% of local officeholders experienced threats or attacks within three years. These threats discourage candidates, deter voters, and constrain officials' interactions with constituents.

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