Local officials are experiencing more harassment, which is legal but harmful.
Challenges Faced by Local Officials: Rising Hostility and Threats
When Beth Smith decided to join the Washoe County School Board, she knew there would be debates and disagreements, but what she didn’t anticipate was the level of vitriol and toxicity that has become all too common in the political landscape, even at the local level.
In an interview with CBS News’ “Eye on America,” Smith revealed the disturbing reality of her experience as a local official. She described receiving constant harassment, intimidation, and threats, including messages filled with profanity and claims of knowing where she lives and where her kids go to school. The situation has escalated to the point where Smith feels the need to have difficult conversations with her children about their safety and the need to keep their front door locked at all times.
Smith’s story is not unique. A recent study conducted by Princeton University has shed light on the alarming increase in harassment and threats faced by local officials, with a 55% rise in incidents over the past two years. The research findings indicate that both Democrats and Republicans are equally affected by this hostility, but women and people of color tend to bear the brunt of the attacks.
Unlike federal office holders who are often equipped with security infrastructure to address such threats, local officials are more vulnerable due to their close proximity to the communities they serve. Shannon Hiller, the executive director of the Bridging Divides Initiative at Princeton University, emphasized this vulnerability, noting that local officials often frequent the same grocery stores and schools as their constituents, making them easy targets for harassment.
Hiller characterizes much of the increased hostility at the local level as “lawful but awful,” pointing out that many forms of harassment, such as doxing, stalking, or general threats, may not always be illegal but can severely impact how local officials engage in democracy. Such behavior can discourage public engagement, sow fear, and ultimately disrupt democratic processes at the most grassroots level.
Furthermore, Hiller’s research warns that the persistent rise in threats and harassment could be an early indicator of more severe forms of violence, including physical harm. This cycle of intimidation and fear can dissuade officials from participating in public meetings, sharing their views on social media, or running for re-election. In fact, nearly 40% of surveyed officials expressed reluctance to seek re-election due to the hostile environment.
The CBS News investigation uncovered video evidence of harassment incidents targeting local officials nationwide, ranging from city managers and mayors to county clerks and commissioners. For instance, a protest in Taylor County, Texas, involved a man displaying a rifle near a city manager’s house, while a county clerk in Erie, Pennsylvania, faced a terrifying incident where a partial pipe bomb was thrown into her home. These cases represent just a fraction of the more than 900 reported incidents of harassment over a two-year period analyzed by the Bridging Divides Initiative.
In Washoe County, Nevada, the surge in harassment towards local officials has been particularly pronounced. Recent elections saw disturbing incidents, such as candidates and officials discovering GPS trackers on their vehicles. Video footage obtained by CBS News captured police questioning a private investigator who admitted to placing the devices for “political” reasons, raising suspicions about the motives behind such actions.
Robert Beadles, a prominent local political activist, has emerged as a controversial figure in Washoe County, with allegations linking him to surveillance activities targeting politicians. Beadles, known for his wealth and confrontational tactics, has been accused of orchestrating campaigns of intimidation against officials like Beth Smith, the school board member. Smith has endured personal attacks, including the sharing of private information about her divorce and the circulation of demeaning images related to her cancer battle.
Despite facing such harassment, Smith remains resolute in her commitment to public service, emphasizing her determination to persevere even in the face of adversity. While Beadles dismisses the complaints against him as trivial and mocks those who raise concerns, the impact of his actions reverberates across the Washoe community and beyond.
As the political climate in Washoe County intensifies, Smith’s defiance and resilience serve as a testament to the challenges faced by local officials across the country. The need to address and combat this rising tide of hostility against public servants is more urgent than ever, as the very foundations of democracy are at stake.
