(The Center Square) – The Pennsylvania congressional delegation took to social media to send thoughts to Gov. Josh Shapiro and his family following the arson attack on the Governor’s Mansion in Harrisburg.
Some representatives posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, to condemn political violence as a response to the attack by suspect 38-year-old Cody Balmer that took place around 2 a.m. Sunday.
“No elected official or their loved ones—regardless of party—should ever have their safety threatened for serving the public,” said Republican Rep. Dan Meuser of the state’s 9th congressional district on X.
Meuser called on Republicans and Democrats to stand united in the condemnation of political violence in both the commonwealth and the nation as a whole.
Republican Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, who represents the state’s 1st congressional district in the Philadelphia suburbs, echoed Mueser’s message on X against political violence, calling the attacker “cowardly.”
“What happened to Gov. Shapiro’s home was more than a crime –it was an attack on the principles that hold our democracy together,” he said.
In the same X post where Fitzpatrick condemned the cowardly criminals, he thanked the courageous response by the Pennsylvania State Police.
Democratic Rep. Madeleine Dean, of the state’s 4th congressional district, also thanked law enforcement for their “swift response” to the attack, which led to Balmer’s arrest. On X, Dean highlighted the level of importance this weekend holds for the Shapiro family and Jewish Pennsylvanians alike, with Passover beginning on Saturday.
A theme of togetherness was strung throughout the representative’s statements on X, whether it be for the holy weekend observed by millions of Pennsylvanians with Passover and Palm Sunday or the democracy in America.
It’s still unclear what Balmer’s specific motive was, though he did express hatred towards the governor and would have attacked him with a hammer during the break-in, if given the chance.
Balmer has been charged with attempted murder, aggravated arson, burglary, terrorism, and related offenses. In the charge of terrorism, it’s noted that Balmer committed a “violent offense intending to affect the conduct of a government,” though to what end remains to be seen. The report says that Balmer admitted to “harboring hatred” for Shapiro.
Shapiro, his wife, children, extended family, and two dogs were all in the residence at the time of the fire, having earlier celebrated the Passover seder. They were awoken by state police and safely evacuated.
