As the political tenor in America continues to deteriorate, threats against politicians have increased, some only online and others very much real and in person. This peril was once again evident when a man charged through a security cordon at an event in Washington, D.C. that was attended by President Donald Trump and numerous cabinet officials before being stopped by Secret Service officers.

Running for governor is a huge commitment, but the current political environment means candidates and their families also need to consider their own personal safety when deciding to run.

Here & Now asked leading 2026 candidates whether that factored into their decision to enter the race and if they have concerns for their personal safety.

“We are in a politically charged environment, and it’s kind of hectic out there. I had somebody, I had threats before that were made to me. It’s not a fun thing to experience, and you know, it’s always back of mind. But I can tell you, like, I’m focused on doing what’s right. I’m going to continue to stay focused on what’s doing right. Violence is absolutely a problem. It’s an issue, it’s something that we cannot ignore, but I can’t let that slow me down either,” said former Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes, a Democratic candidate.

“You know, no more than how dangerous it is to drive here from western Wisconsin on an icy day. Certainly it’s disappointing to see the level of noise that is created around politics these days. and Wisconsinites are looking for someone who’s going to bring that noise level down. That’s what I’m going to do. And, you know, despite security concerns, despite things like that, I have the energy to be in this conversation. That’s what Wisconsinites need,” said former Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation CEO Missy Hughes, a Democratic candidate.

“You know, I don’t. I love Wisconsin and I believe in Wisconsinites and I believe that they want us to have an open dialog for politics. And so I do not have any concerns about my personal safety,” said Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez, a Democratic candidate.

“It’s disappointing that political violence has become such a frequent occurrence, and I’m fortunate to have a campaign team, and a community and volunteers across the state that I think are going to remain supportive. I do not have concerns for my personal safety,” said state Rep. Francesca Hong, a Democratic candidate.

“I guess I still believe that campaigns are about ideas and I absolutely, I know that there are going to be people who disagree with me and disagree with me on the campaign. I hope and expect that they’re going to do that honorably. I am more than willing to take potshots that people have online — and there’s a lot of that and I, you know, I have to have a thick skin around that. But I hope that we’re at a place, and I hope we can demonstrate in Wisconsin that we do things civilly,” said former Wisconsin Department of Administration Sec. Joel Brennan, a Democratic candidate.

“You certainly think about it a little bit, especially in light of the assassination of Charlie Kirk and, of course, the attempts on President Trump’s life in 2024, where he almost lost his life. So we do think about it more at this point, but I just, I try to tune it out because I’m going to do my job. And Wisconsinites are, almost everyone is really good about this stuff, whether I’m knocking on doors, seeing people, whatever, people are almost always respectful, and I think it’s important for us to be out amongst the public. I’m not going to stop doing that just because some people have their lives threatened,” said U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany, a Republican candidate.

“I think we’ve seen a huge uptick in political rhetoric and political violence happening all across this country. And quite frankly, I’m sick and tired of it. It is unfortunate that we’re seeing the level of violence just for being able to deliver on behalf of those that we represent every single day. And so, whether you’re a Republican, Democrat, we really need to end the political rhetoric and this violent rhetoric that has been out there and really focus on how do we make lives better for those that we represent,” said Milwaukee County Exec. David Crowley, a Democratic candidate.

“I do, and it’s something that I take seriously. My staff and my family take it seriously and I think it’s very unfortunate that we have political leaders at the very top of our system whose use of violent rhetoric and violent actions are making us all less safe. And as Americans, you know, every one of us lives with the specter of gun violence. Every time your kid walks out the door to school, every time you go to church or a concert, you have to think, is this going to become a mass shooting event? We have to do so much more to help all Americans be safe and free from violence. And there’s a lot that states can do to make that true,” said state Sen. Kelda Roys, a Democratic candidate.