Nonprofit expands security training for candidates amid rising political violence

A nonprofit that trains political candidates and elected officials on safety and security said it will expand its staff ahead of the 2026 elections as threats and violence around American politics increase. The Democracy Security Project, founded by Democratic strategists in 2024, offers training on securing offices, campaign events and online operations, the group said.

Interest in its services surged after what the group described as the assassination last June of Melissa Hortman, the former speaker of the Minnesota House, and her husband, Mark; of the 900 candidates it trained in 2025, more than 800 approached the organization after that attack.

The group said it has served over 10,000 people in less than two years, in all 50 states. The increase in demand comes as the New York Times reported that assassinations of politicians and activists marred 2025 and that elected officials and candidates have been inundated with threats and harassment, prompting visible changes such as candidates opting not to walk in parades or hold outdoor rallies and less visible effects like officials feeling pressured to vote a certain way out of fear for their safety.

Candidates told the group their primary concerns include the safety of family members and risks such as doxxing and swatting.

Key Topics

Politics, Democracy Security Project, Minnesota, Melissa Hortman, Political Violence, Doxxing