Kenyatta measure would give PA candidates and officeholders more tools to protect themselves from political violence
Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta September 26, 2024 | 9:22 AM
HARRISBURG, Sept. 26 – With political violence on the rise and Election Day near, state Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta, D-Phila., is urging his colleagues to support legislation that would give Pennsylvania candidates more flexibility to hire personal security details and feel safer at public events.
“From the shooting of former United States Representative Gabby Giffords in 2011 to the assassination attempts against former President Donald Trump this year in Pennsylvania and Florida, security threats to political candidates and public officeholders have only increased and have been targeted at Democrats and Republicans alike,” Kenyatta said. “Violence and intimidation should have absolutely no place in our politics. The increase in threats against elected leaders and candidates is an unacceptable attack on the very foundation of our democracy. It endangers lives, undermines the democratic process, and threatens the free and fair functioning of government at every level. We must confront this growing crisis with urgency.”
This week the U.S. House and Senate unanimously voted to increase security for presidential candidates. And in April, the Federal Election Commission proposed a rule to allow federal candidates and officeholders to use campaign funds for security purposes. However, the rule would not apply to candidates for state office. Kenyatta’s legislation would allow candidates and officeholders in Pennsylvania to use campaign funds on professional security personnel and services.
Also in the bill package, Kenyatta is proposing to expand state police protection to additional senior elected officials, such as the speaker of the House, Senate pro-tempore, and all state row officers (the attorney general already receives such protection).
“These measures will help ensure that public servants in our state have access to security services if needed,” Kenyatta said. “We must ensure candidates and public officials can protect themselves.”
Kenyatta is currently seeking co-sponsors for his legislation, which he plans to introduce when the House returns to session next week.