A campaign office for Vice President Kamala Harris in Tempe, Arizona, was damaged by gunfire on September 23, 2024, just days before her scheduled visit to the state. This is the second time the office has been damaged in recent weeks, raising safety concerns among local political figures and staff.

Tempe police are investigating the incident after workers discovered gunshots through the front windows of the shared office, NBC News reported.

The building houses staff from the Arizona Democratic Party, as well as Harris’s presidential campaign and other local Democratic Senate and House campaigns. Fortunately, no one was present at the time of the shooting.

Second Incident Of Damage In Weeks

This shooting marks the second time someone has targeted the office. A week earlier, on September 16, 2024, someone damaged the office's front windows with a BB gun or pellet gun. These escalating acts of violence have raised concerns about political safety as the 2024 election season heats up.

Tempe police confirmed the damage in a statement to NBC News, describing the attack as “apparent gunfire.” Public Information Officer Sgt. Ryan Cook noted that although no one was inside the office during the overnight hours, the incident raises concerns about the safety of campaign workers and others nearby.

Arizona Democratic Party Coordinated Campaign Manager Sean McEnerney also acknowledged the attack, stating that "several shots were fired into our Tempe Democratic Party coordinated campaign office."

Leaders Call For Increased Safety Measures

Arizona Democratic Party Chairwoman Yolanda Bejarano expressed her sadness over the violence, calling it "extremely sad" that criminals have targeted the party.

She emphasized that violence does not reflect the values of Arizona or America and stressed the importance of working closely with law enforcement to ensure the safety of staff and the community.

The office is one of 18 Harris campaign field offices in Arizona, a pivotal battleground state in the upcoming presidential election. Political tension has been high, especially in closely contested regions like Arizona, and the incidents at the office have raised concerns about potential violence during the campaign season.

Kamala Harris To Visit Arizona Amid Concerns

Vice President Harris will visit Arizona on Friday, September 27, 2024, marking her first trip to the state since a rally in Glendale on August 9. Her campaign has focused on issues like gun control and community safety, particularly in areas with large student populations such as Tempe, home to Arizona State University (ASU).

Just weeks before the shooting, Harris held a campaign event in Tempe on August 28, where Rep. Maxwell Frost gave a speech on gun control to students at ASU.

The college, with a student population of around 57,000, represents a critical demographic for the Democratic campaign in Arizona, and gun violence has been a key topic in many campaign discussions.

Gun Control A Central Campaign Issue

Rep. Maxwell Frost, a vocal advocate for gun control, has emphasized the importance of addressing gun violence during Harris’s campaign stops. In his speech at ASU, Frost stressed the need to end gun violence and build communities where people do not feel the need to use firearms to solve their problems.

The recent gunfire at the campaign office adds urgency to Frost’s remarks. The attacks have refocused attention on the issue of political violence and the need for stronger measures to protect both political candidates and campaign workers.

Ongoing Investigation And Safety Measures

As police investigate the incident, the Arizona Democratic Party is coordinating with law enforcement to implement additional safety precautions. Although they have not identified any suspects in either incident, the investigation remains active, and police are urging anyone with information to come forward. Meanwhile, the Harris campaign and other Democratic candidates continue their work in Arizona. Since the state is such a crucial battleground, campaign efforts are unlikely to slow down despite the recent violence. Nevertheless, the incidents have cast a shadow over the lead-up to Harris’s upcoming visit.

Concerns About Political Violence Ahead Of Election

Back-to-back acts of vandalism at the campaign office highlight growing concerns about political violence during this election cycle. As the 2024 presidential election nears, many fear that such incidents will increase, especially in key swing states like Arizona.

The attack on Harris’s campaign office has fueled a broader national conversation about political polarization and the potential for election-related violence. Though no one was injured in the Tempe incident, the damage to the office serves as a stark reminder of the threats political campaigns face.

The Harris campaign and local Democratic leaders have condemned the violence and urged unity and dialogue in the face of division. "We still have to work at ending gun violence," Rep. Maxwell Frost said after the incident, encouraging voters to focus on solutions rather than resorting to violence.