(WWJ) A metro Detroit Congresswoman announced she was a target of a violent threat just nine days before Election Day.
Elissa Slotkin, a democrat whose district runs from Rochester Hills west to Lansing, said a caller left a message at her campaign headquarters using "threatening, sexually explicit and violent language."
The caller even threatened to "shoot (his) way to victory," according to a release from Slotkin's office.
Her staff coordinated with Lansing and U.S. Capitol Police for the investigation. They traced the message to an Ingham County boy, under the age of 18, and determined "the individual was unlikely to pose a threat."
Slotkin said she has been the target of violent threats before.
"I am making this threat public because the climate has gotten significantly worse in the last few weeks," Slotkin said in the release.
She added law enforcement will investigate any threats made against her or her team.
Slotkin will run against Republican incumbent, Paul Junge, on November 3rd.
In the meantime, she made a plea to all Americans.
"We have to be better than this," Slotkin said. "Our kids and our country deserve better than this."
Here is Rep. Elissa Slotkin's full statement:
ROCHESTER, Mich. – Rep. Elissa Slotkin (MI-08) issued the following statement today:
"This week, a caller left a voicemail at my campaign headquarters using threatening, sexually explicit, and violent language, including a threat to 'shoot my way to victory.' My staff coordinated with Lansing and U.S. Capitol police, who traced the threat to a young person in Ingham County. Upon investigation, they determined that the individual was unlikely to pose an actual threat, which was a relief. I'm grateful for the efforts of the U.S. Capitol Police and law enforcement agencies here in the 8th District for their swift work.
"This is not the first time violent threats have been directed at me or members of my team. I am making this threat public because the climate has gotten significantly worse in the last few weeks. I also want to make clear that law enforcement will be involved in each and every threat we receive. We cannot let it be normal that political differences are metered out with threats of violence.
"We have to be better than this. Our kids and our country deserve better than this. Leadership climate is set from the top, and every elected leader needs to set an example by calling out violent and intimidating threats and making clear it has no business in the 8th District, our state and our country."
