UPDATE [ 9:40 PM ET]: Arizona’s Family, KTVK-TV/KPHO-TV, the Phoenix CBS affiliate, reported on Thursday evening that there was a scare over a letter containing a white powdery substance in the Arizona Secretary of State's office, causing the entire office complex at the State Capitol in downtown Phoenix to be evacuated by authorities.
State and federal authorities have evacuated the Executive Tower at the Arizona State Capitol Thursday afternoon because of a “targeted threat,” involving a powder, Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes said in a statement.
The Arizona Department of State received an envelope full of white powder, which a clerk in Fontes’s office opened, Fontes said.
The department office called law enforcement and hazmat crews, isolated the powder and anyone who may have been exposed, evacuated other employees and closed off the floor, Fontes said.
Governor Katie Hobbs (D) released a statement:
Today, the Executive Tower was evacuated after a Hazardous Materials Incident. I'm glad that there are no reported injuries at this time and thankful to the first responders for their swift action. Threats against our hard-working public servants are unacceptable. Anybody responsible for threatening or intimidating elections officials should be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.
— Governor Katie Hobbs (@GovernorHobbs) October 16, 2026
Today, the Executive Tower was evacuated after a Hazardous Materials Incident. I'm glad that there are no reported injuries at this time and thankful to the first responders for their swift action.
Threats against our hard-working public servants are unacceptable. Anybody responsible for threatening or intimidating elections officials should be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.
Hobbs was not in the building at the time; she was in Tucson campaigning for reelection.
AG Fontes also released a video, and shared a statement on social media:
"This is a sobering moment that highlights the reality of election administration in this country today. I am thankful for my staff that acted quickly and are taking the lead from law-enforcement and hazmat experts on a response to ensure the safety of my entire staff and our customers," he said.
"We will not be scared out of doing our jobs on behalf of the voters of Arizona. As the election closes in, we know that threats will continue and we are on high alert to protect everyone on our team that is working overtime to serve Arizona," he added.
Luckily, no one was hurt, Arizona's Family reported, according to the Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS).
original story
There's news of a concerning development involving a possible threat to congressional offices, as well as other addresses nationwide.
According to the FBI, they are now investigating letters "containing suspicious substances that were mailed nationwide, including to some congressional offices on Capitol Hill.
BREAKING: FBI confirms to @FoxNews they’re investigating suspicious letters that were sent out nationwide with unknown substances in them, including to some offices on Capitol Hill. FBI spox: “The FBI and U.S. Postal Inspection Service are investigating a series of suspicious mailings sent to various addresses nationwide, including Secretary of State offices and their related election offices. Some of the letters contained an unknown substance and we are working closely with our law enforcement partners to respond to each incident. We are also working with our partners to identify the individual or individuals responsible for the letters. This FBI will continue to safeguard the public and secure elections for American citizens.”
— Bill Melugin (@BillMelugin_) October 15, 2026
“The FBI and U.S. Postal Inspection Service are investigating a series of suspicious mailings sent to various addresses nationwide, including Secretary of State offices and their related election offices. Some of the letters contained an unknown substance and we are working closely with our law enforcement partners to respond to each incident. We are also working with our partners to identify the individual or individuals responsible for the letters. This FBI will continue to safeguard the public and secure elections for American citizens.”
A Senate email said that law enforcement officials were "working to intercept any additional letters before they are delivered; however, it is possible that some letters may reach their destinations."
The Ohio Secretary of State said it was one of the intended recipients, but the letter was stopped by the U.S. Postal Service.
@BillMelugin_ @lookner Oklahoma got one https://t.co/ZzKVQ3iAtb
— P (@P71714147) October 15, 2026
According to NBC, Louisiana also got one.
“As we have each stated in the past, threats against election officials and workers have no place in our democracy. Those who administer our elections should never fear for their safety while carrying out their essential duties,” the National Association of Secretaries of State and the National Association of State Election Directors said in a joint statement.
“Election officials take these matters seriously and work closely with law enforcement and security partners to protect their personnel and facilities,” the statement added.
Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose on Wednesday echoed the sentiment that election officials should “never have to fear for their personal safety while performing their duties,” adding that his office was working with state and federal law enforcement following the mailing targeting it.
The NY Post reported there was a return address on one of the envelopes.
The FBI, US Postal Inspection Service and Capitol Police are investigating letters “containing suspicious substances” that were mailed to congressional offices, according to emails sent to Hill staff Thursday.
The warning included a photo of one of the suspicious envelopes that was postmarked “DSA” and gave a return address at the same Financial District building that the Democratic Socialists of America used to list on their membership forms.
However, the Democratic Socialists of America responded that they were no longer at that address.
NEW: The FBI, US Postal Inspection Service and Capitol Police are investigating letters "containing suspicious substances" that were mailed to congressional offices, according to an email sent to Hill staff Thursday One of the letters is postmarked "DSA" with a return address in the same building where the Democratic Socialists of America has been headquartered
— Josh Christenson (@jchristenson_) October 15, 2026
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