A bomb squad shut down Rep. Zoe Lofgren's office on North First Street in San Jose on Friday, Oct. 16, one of four Bay Area congressional offices to report suspicious envelopes this week, ABC7 reported.
Why it matters: Federal authorities are investigating more than 100 suspicious letters sent to election offices and members of Congress nationwide, less than three weeks before the Nov. 3 election.
Office by office
- San Jose (Lofgren): San Jose police responded just after 11 a.m. to the 600 block of N. First Street. The substance was "determined to be non-hazardous," but the investigation continues, ABC7 reported.
- Walnut Creek (DeSaulnier): a staffer found a letter matching the description and return address of identical envelopes sent nationwide, secured it unopened and called local police and U.S. Capitol Police. Contra Costa County Fire sent hazardous materials units, according to ABC7.
- Santa Clara (Khanna): crews in protective gear responded Friday afternoon. Santa Clara police called it "an active investigation" but did not confirm the nature of the call.
- Santa Cruz (Panetta): Panetta said the envelope held "a white powdery substance" that authorities later confirmed was a mix of sugar and flour, SFist reported.
What the lawmakers said
"My San Jose office received a suspicious letter through the mail today... All of my staffers are safe," Lofgren said in a statement.
"Threats and political violence seem to have reached a fever pitch in our country," said DeSaulnier, who faces Republican Jeff Frese in November. "I urge my fellow Americans to stand united against such attempts at undermining our democracy."
"These attempts to intimidate us will not deter us from doing our job," Panetta said.
All four are Democrats seeking re-election. No sender has been identified, and investigations are ongoing.