COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose and his family are safe after his office says a suspicious package was sent to their suburban Columbus home over the weekend.
According to a statement from spokesman Dan Lusheck, the mail involved "written material of a threatening nature" as well as an unknown "powdery substance." LaRose opened the letter Sunday night and came into contact with the powder, at which time he immediately "notified his security staff and took appropriate actions to protect his family from any immediate harm."
"At the request of local authorities, multiple local, state and federal law enforcement agents responded to the Secretary's home, including hazmat and bomb detection units," Lusheck continued. "The suspicious materials were collected for further investigation, and the Secretary and his family are safe."
LaRose just completed his duties certifying Ohio's 2024 general election results two weeks ago, with the secretary reporting more than 5.8 million ballots cast and a turnout rate of 71.4%. However, this is also the second time in three months that he has been impacted by suspicious mail, with federal officials intercepting another package with a white powder back in September before it reached him. His office was one of 15 nationwide impacted by such threats, though the powder was later found to be harmless.
Due to an increase in threats in the leadup to the election, Gov. Mike DeWine approved weeks worth of extra security for LaRose. Officials say this detail included members of the Department of Public Safety and Ohio State Highway Patrol.
The latest incident remains under investigation.
