RUNNING SCARED
In today’s perversely contentious political world, many elected officials are finding themselves the target of threats to their lives. Oakland County Clerk Lisa Brown acknowledged her office is on the lookout for mail threats, notably so after reports in early November of election offices in at least five states received suspicious letters – some of which contained the highly toxic chemical fentanyl, which can be deadly upon touch. “There are threats of fentanyl for all election officials, but we have not had any yet at the Oakland County Clerk’s Office,” Brown said. She said everyone in the office is opening all mail wearing latex gloves – and she’s doing the same thing at home, as well. Brown, a Democrat currently in her 11th year in office, has announced she will run for another term in office in 2024. State Representative Samantha Steckloff (D-Farmington Hills, Bloomfield Township) said she has been facing antisemitic threats in light of the Israel-Hamas war. As one of only three Jewish legislators – along with state Senator Jeremy Moss (D-Southfield, Bloomfield Township) and state Rep. Noah Arbit (D-West Bloomfield, Commerce Township, Bloomfield Township) – she said she is feeling truly fearful right now, alluding to threats she has received. Steckloff said she currently has a police officer at all times outside her home.