KANSAS CITY, Mo. — After roughly 100 Kansas legislators and state officials were targeted with threatening letters that included a suspicious white substance last week, Republican leaders issued a joint statement Monday about the incidents.
“Thankfully, the KDHE is saying the substance is presumptively negative for any biologicals,” the letter said. “While this is certainly good news, it has nonetheless been a stressful last few days for our families and other citizens impacted by this cowardly attempt to intimidate the legislature. We urge all of our members to please remain vigilant and cautious when opening their mail as this case is still developing.”
The Kansas Bureau of Investigation is handling the investigation and announced Sunday that tests performed by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment had ruled out “common biological agents of concern,” the KBI said.
“There’s an evil and I don’t know why or where it comes from but we don’t need that in our political system,” Rep. Dave Buehler (R - Lansing) said. “But for people to resort to intimidation and threats and a vile act like this is just downright wrong.”
Several legislators from the Kansas City area were among those who received the letters along with Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach and other state officials.
Kansas Republicans thanked the KBI, KDHE, FBI, Kansas National Guard, State Fire Marshal, and local police and fire departments, which responded to investigate after lawmakers received the letters.
Investigators responded in hazmat suits to take position of the letters as more were found, including Rep. Tory Marie Blew (R - Great Bend).
Blew said she was headed to her parent's home with her mail from a P.O. box when her local Sheriff told her to get the letter out of her car. She threw it in a flower pot on her parent's porch.
“It definitely makes you think twice now when you get your mail,” Blew said. “I disagree with people, obviously that’s part of our job, but I would never once in a million years even think of this idea or do it so I am just in complete shock that someone went out of their way.”
Blew said it took hours for crews to clear out.
“Many of these same people are also hard at work trying to find those behind this terrible act and we appreciate their expertise to quickly find those responsible and hold them accountable,” Republican leaders said in the letter.
Leaders also vowed “not to be intimidated by extremists who look to undermine the will of the people we were elected to serve” and directed further questions to the KBI with the investigation ongoing.
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