“We Could Be In For a Rough Decade” in Political Violence, says MSUM Political Scientist

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) — Political scientists in the region say we could be in the midst of one of the most violent decades in modern political history.

And they say this weekend’s assassination of a Minnesota state lawmaker and her spouse, and an attempt on another and his could have a chilling effect on people’s interest in running for office.

Dr. Barbara Headrick is a professor of Political Science at MSUM who spent her weekend talking with lawmakers affected by the shootings, while the suspect was still the subject of what’s been called the largest manhunt in Minnesota state history.

She also teaches students considering a career in politics and encourages civic participation for all of us.

Headrick says parts of what’s driving the recent spate of violence is the dehumanizing rhetoric on both sides against political opponents.

She says treating political opponents as “the enemy” rather than just people with different opinions is making things less safe for people who want to participate, to protest, and to lead.

She says states across the country are likely now to start looking ahead at providing greater security for their elected officials as a response to the shootings.

Headrick compares the recent past years of political violence to past eras like the 1990s abortion clinic bombings, and the antiwar demonstrations in the Vietnam era and says, “We could be in for a rough decade. ”

Minnesota state senator John Hoffman and his wife remain hospitalized from injuries they sustained in the assassination attempt on them that killed House DFL leader Melissa Hortman and her husband.

There’s a GoFundMe set up to help the Hoffmans with their recovery expenses here.

Check back for more on this developing story.