The official campaign headquarters of current Arizona Secretary of State, and Democratic gubernatorial candidate, Katie Hobbs, was burglarized earlier this week. This comes as Arizona has grown into a heated election battleground amid a tightly contested race between Hobbs and Republican opponent, former TV news anchor Kari Lake, ahead of Election Day, on Nov. 8. 

On Tuesday afternoon, Oct. 25, Phoenix police responded to a burglary call Tuesday and “learned that items were taken from the property sometime during the night,” the department said in a statement. No suspects have been identified in the burglary as they review security cameras. 

Sgt. Phil Krynsky, a spokesman for the department, revealed items were taken but declined to comment on what specifically was taken, as the investigation remains open. 

“This is still an active investigation with detectives checking all security cameras in attempts to identify and locate the subject involved,” the statement said.

Amid the heightened election attention, Arizona has recently seen allegations of voter intimidation and threats of death and violence towards Democratic candidates from Republican supporters. According to a statement from the Hobbs campaign, the burglary does not come as too much of a surprise considering the threats received over the course of the election cycle, especially since Hobbs declined to debate Lake.

“Secretary Hobbs and her staff have faced hundreds of death threats and threats of violence over the course of this campaign. Throughout this race, we have been clear that the safety of our staff and of the Secretary is our number one priority,” the statement said. “Let's be clear: for nearly two years Kari Lake and her allies have been spreading dangerous misinformation and inciting threats against anyone they see fit.” 

Lake has responded to the incident by accusing the Hobbs campaign of lying about the whole situation. On Wednesday, Lake told CNN that the incident “sounds like a Jussie Smollett part two,” a reference to the convicted actor who made false police reports over being a victim of a hate crime back in 2019.

“She’s trying to deflect from her own abysmal campaign and the fact that you know, nobody even knows where her campaign office is,” Lake said. “The person who broke in probably didn’t even realize it was a campaign office. It’s really sad. And the fact that you guys are running with this story, shame on you.” 

Lake added that she was “saddened that Hobbs and her camp would try to pin this on us” and labeled the accusations as “defamatory.” 

According to a FOX 10 InsiderAdvantage poll from Oct. 26, Lake led Hobbs in the race 54% to 43%, while a poll from FiveThirtyEight owned by ABC News, from the same date has the race a little closer with Lake leading 48.5% to 45.7%.

“The threats against Arizonans attempting to exercise their constitutional rights and their attacks on elected officials are the direct result of a concerted campaign of lies and intimidation. It won't work. Katie is running for governor to ensure the safety and security of every Arizona family. She will win this race," said Hobbs’ campaign. 

Early voting has started across the country and Election Day is Nov. 8.