6 times Democrats were killed, beaten or threatened in targeted attacks

5. Josh Shapiro

On April 13, the residence of Pennsylvania’s Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro was set on fire by Cody Balmer. Shapiro, a practicing Jew, escaped the attempted arson attack unharmed. 

A warrant for Balmer’s arrest indicated that the attack was motivated by opposition to Shapiro’s support for Israel and his position on the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.

The warrant detailed how Balmer had called 911 after setting the fire, explaining that “he will not take part in [Shapiro’s] plans for what he wants to do to the Palestinian people.”

Balmer’s comments reflect a belief that Shapiro’s support for Israel in its ongoing conflict with Hamas means that he endorses Israel’s military actions in Gaza. Balmer also insisted that Shapiro needed to “stop having my friends killed” and maintained that “ ... our people have been put through too much by that monster.”