Arizona secretary of state says she has received threats, is moving kids to a safe house

Arizona Secretary of State Katie Hobbs said Wednesday she has been receiving threats and has moved her family to a safe house, citing a recent polling place confrontation involving a man with a gun.<br><br>The Democrat, who oversees elections in the state and is running for governor against Republican Kari Lake, said during a CNN appearance that there have been "a number of threats" lodged against her.<br><br>"The most recent one happened just yesterday at one of the polling locations in Phoenix, where an individual showed up armed, and that's a real threat to polling place workers and to voters," Hobbs said.<br><br>Hobbs added that the FBI is investigating.<br><br>Lake, Hobbs' opponent in the gubernatorial race, issued a statement later Wednesday in response to Hobbs' comments.<br><br>"I am against violence in all forms against anyone, including Secretary Hobbs," Lake said. "She deserves personal safety just like everyone else. And all voters should be able to vote without being intimidated."<br><br>Lake's campaign also characterized Hobbs' comments as an effort to "deflect from her failure to run an honest and transparent campaign."<br><br>Hobbs' campaign shot back, saying in its response that Lake's claims "have been deemed false by elections officials, local law enforcement, and two separate courts."<br><br>Hobbs' campaign also said that Lake's claims about the election "continue to cause violent threats towards Secretary Hobbs, her family, her staff, and election officials."<br><br>Arizona has become one of the most contentious states in the country this election cycle, marked by a race for U.S. Senate involving Sen. Mark Kelly, D, and Blake Masters, R, and Lake's bid for governor against Hobbs.<br><br>Arizona has also had issues with election deniers and poll workers fearing their safety, according to election experts.<br><br>Lake and Steve Bannon, a former advisor to President Donald Trump, have been accused of spreading misinformation about voting machines and elections security, which critics say can lead to violence.<br><br>An unnamed man was arrested in Phoenix on Tuesday after he brought a gun to a polling station. Hobbs said the individual was asked to leave, but not arrested for a weapons-related offense.<br><br>"It was a security threat, not only to the voters who were there, but to the polling place workers," Hobbs said.<br><br>Hobbs added that she has received numerous death threats.<br><br>"I've had to move my family to a safe house," Hobbs said. "I have to change my route to work every day."