Georgia Congressional Candidate Receives Threatening Package

Lydia O'Connor
Updated
Karen Handel speaks with reporters in April. (Photo: Bill Clark via Getty Images)
Karen Handel speaks with reporters in April. (Photo: Bill Clark via Getty Images)

Police are investigating after Georgia congressional candidate Karen Handel and her neighbors received packages Thursday containing threatening letters and a suspicious substance.

Handel, a Republican, is facing off against Democrat Jon Ossoff in Tuesday’s special election in Georgia’s 6th Congressional District. A recent poll shows them in a deadlock in the heated race.

“The police were quickly notified and street is now being blocked off,” Handel said in a statement around 4 p.m. local time. “We will continue to coordinate with law enforcement as necessary.”

Osoff told WSB-TV that his family has also received several threats of violence during the campaign, prompting him to hire a security detail.

Thursday’s incident comes one day after House Majority Whip Steve Scalise (R-La.) and others were shot at a Virginia baseball field. Scalise is in critical condition.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

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Police investigate a shooting scene after a gunman opened fire on Republican members of Congress during a baseball practice near Washington in Alexandria, Virginia, on June 14, 2017.
Police investigate a shooting scene after a gunman opened fire on Republican members of Congress during a baseball practice near Washington in Alexandria, Virginia, on June 14, 2017.
Investigators gather at Eugene Simpson Field. 
Investigators gather at Eugene Simpson Field. 
Police investigate the shooting scene. 
Police investigate the shooting scene. 
Sen. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) briefs members of the media near Eugene Simpson Stadium Park.
Sen. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) briefs members of the media near Eugene Simpson Stadium Park.
A police officer mans a shooting scene.
A police officer mans a shooting scene.
Police make way for an ambulance.
Police make way for an ambulance.
Rep. Joe Barton (R-Texas), center, and his sons, board the Rayburn subway in the basement of the Capitol. 
Rep. Joe Barton (R-Texas), center, and his sons, board the Rayburn subway in the basement of the Capitol. 
U.S. Rep. Mo Brooks (R-AL) talks to reporters. 
U.S. Rep. Mo Brooks (R-AL) talks to reporters. 
People gather near the scene of the shooting.
People gather near the scene of the shooting.
A member of the Alexandria Police runs up the street near the scene.
A member of the Alexandria Police runs up the street near the scene.
Police investigate after the shooting.
Police investigate after the shooting.
A police officer stands near a damaged vehicle.
A police officer stands near a damaged vehicle.
Police tape cordons off the scene.
Police tape cordons off the scene.
Investigators gather near the scene.
Investigators gather near the scene.
Police investigate the scene.
Police investigate the scene.
Alexandria police gather near the crime scene.
Alexandria police gather near the crime scene.
Investigators and emergency personnel gather adjacent to Eugene Simpson Field.
Investigators and emergency personnel gather adjacent to Eugene Simpson Field.

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This article originally appeared on HuffPost.