Jay Block, the state senator for New Mexico's District 12, said that political violence must be condemned and expressed relief that Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro and his staff were unharmed following a recent arson attack on the governor’s mansion. He made this statement on X.
"This guy needs to be locked up for a very long time either in a mental health facility or jail," said Jay C Block, New Mexico State Senator from 12th District (R). "Very happy the Gov, his family, and staff are safe. The political violence must end. Not the American way, it's the terrorists way."
In early 2025, New Mexico experienced a significant case of political violence when Solomon Peña, a former Republican legislative candidate, was convicted for organizing drive-by shootings at the homes of four Democratic officials, including House Speaker Javier Martínez. According to CBS News, Peña targeted these officials after falsely claiming election fraud in his 2022 defeat and hired accomplices to carry out the attacks using stolen vehicles. This incident highlighted the increasing threats facing local politicians across the United States.
According to a 2023 report by the Bridging Divides Initiative at Princeton University, approximately 14% of local U.S. officials feared being physically attacked. The study found that women and people of color faced threats and harassment at rates 5–10% higher than their peers. Based on a nationwide survey, it underscored persistent political intimidation at municipal and county levels. Researchers warned that this trend threatens democratic participation and the retention of public service officials.
A 2024 analysis by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) revealed that domestic terrorist attacks and plots targeting U.S. government institutions have nearly tripled over five years. CSIS reported that most acts were motivated by political ideologies, particularly anti-government and partisan extremism, marking a significant increase from earlier decades. The report emphasized a growing correlation between political polarization and violence.
Block has served as a state senator for District 12 in New Mexico since January 2025. Before this role, he was a Sandoval County Commissioner from 2016 to 2024 and ran unsuccessfully in the 2022 GOP gubernatorial primary. A retired U.S. Air Force Lieutenant Colonel, Block specialized in nuclear operations and national security.
