Warren Petersen Receives Death Threat, Condemns it on Social Media

State Senate President and Attorney General candidate Warren Petersen (R-14) shared a recent death threat he received on social media, condemning it while calling for accountability.

The Post

State Sen. Petersen shared a screenshot on X, where a man named John Bergen wrote, "Warren Petersen is a racist pedophile. [Representative Andy] Biggs (R-AZ) and Petersen deserve death. Both should be Kirked," referencing the murder of conservative activist Charlie Kirk last September.

A second user wrote, "You do know you have a clear and explicit death threat from this man, correct?"

"I've run for office many times, but I've never witnessed the level of false accusations and threats of violence we're seeing this election," State Sen. Petersen posted, adding, "Every major law enforcement organization has endorsed me because I've spent years working to protect children and our state. My wife was born in Mexico."

He concluded by writing, "Political violence and threats have no place in our state. There must be accountability."

The Deepening Divide

This is not the first time in recent months that Arizona officials have condemned incendiary rhetoric on social media; in May, State Representative Alma Hernandez (D-20) called out her Democratic primary opponent for the Arizona State Senate, Rocque Perez, for inflammatory remarks.

Perez allegedly told an X user to kill their conservative family members, called for Ivanka Trump to be thrown from the Capitol roof, and for a female conservative activist to be beaten.

"Violent rhetoric has no place in our politics. None. Not from R's, not from D's, and not from anyone seeking to represent this community. Tucson knows the consequences of political violence all too well. I am appalled by my opponent @Rocqueperez behavior," said State Rep. Hernandez, adding, "My opponent's actions are unbecoming of an elected official and disqualifying for someone seeking a seat in the State Senate."

In July, State Representative Quang Nguyen (R-1) called out Turning Point USA's Tyler Bowyer for seemingly attacking his Vietnamese background by asking if he could speak English during an online debate.

Most recently, State Representative Walt Blackman (R-7) was subject to a series of racist attacks by former primary opponent Steven Slaton on social media.