Republican congressional candidate Ed Martin condemned late Tuesday the suspected arson attack on the campaign headquarters of U.S. Rep. Russ Carnahan, D-St. Louis.
Carnahan's spokeswoman Angela Guyadeen reported that the incident occurred early Tuesday. "This morning at approximately 2:20 a.m. the local fire department responded to a call they received about a break-in and fire at the campaign headquarters," Guyadeen said in a brief statement. "There is minor damage to the office, and the campaign headquarters remains open. The St. Louis police and fire departments are investigating."
By Tuesday evening, a 50-year-old man had been arrested, prompting speculation -- even on Martin's part -- that politics may have been fueled the incident.
"While there is obviously a lot of angst and frustration among voters, violence is never the answer!" Martin said in a statement. "We must all work together to establish a peaceful and prosperous political process."
Carnahan has been targeted before. In March, Tea Party activists carried a coffin as a prop for a prayer vigil conducted in front of his home as part of a protest against the federal health-care law. The activists said the coffin illustrated their fear of rationing and was not intended as a threat against the congressman.
And last summer, disgruntled Tea Party activists packed several of Carnahan's forums to vent their anger over federal health-care changes -- which the congressman supported -- as well as other Democratic initiatives such as the congressional energy proposals that include cap-and-trade provisions.
Although the 3rd congressional district is deemed Democratic-leaning, Carnahan -- in office since 2005 -- faces a vigorous challenge from Martin, a lawyer and conservative activist who has attracted a lot of national attention and money.
However, the Republican Congressional Campaign Committee announced Tuesday that the 3rd is not among 40 congressional districts around the country chosen for a $22 million ad blitz, indicating that Martin may not get as much national help as he had hoped.
This article originally appeared in the St. Louis Beacon.
