INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Two members of Indiana’s best political team on Friday said threats, such as those directed at state lawmakers and the governor over the past few days, always carry the risk of actual violence.

As of Friday afternoon, seven Republican state senators have been the targets of swatting calls, bomb threats, and other threats. In addition, Gov. Mike Braun said via X he and his family have been threatened in recent days. Those threats come amid the ongoing fight over whether to redraw Indiana’s Congressional maps ahead of next year’s midterm elections. State lawmakers convened on Tuesday for their annual Organization Day and adjourned until Jan. 5, ending, for now, any chance of a redistricting session, though House Speaker Todd Huston has told members of his chamber to keep their December calendars open.

• Related: 2 more Indiana lawmakers targeted with threats; Braun says he’s been threatened

Dana Black, former deputy chair of engagement for the Indiana Democratic Party, said she considers the recent threats a form of terrorism. She pointed to social media posts by President Donald Trump, among others, targeting Sen. Greg Goode, R-Terre Haute, and Senate President pro tempore Rod Bray, R-Martinsville. Goode is publicly undecided, while Bray has said he opposes mid-cycle redistricting.

“It’s unfortunate when you put out tweets and you put out social media messages about, ‘We need to target these particular senators because they don’t agree with us,’” Black said. “You don’t know who they’re speaking to. You’re speaking to people who may not have it all together, and they take that as a call to action”

Republican strategist Ali Bartlett said threats should always be taken seriously because there is a chance they could lead to actual violence.

“Obviously, we haven’t gotten any sort of message or indicator about what is causing them,” Bartlett said. “But, you know, this is a contentious issue. It is something that is getting national attention at this point.”

Bartlett said despite the legislature’s adjournment, she does not believe the fight over redistricting is over. She said there’s still a chance lawmakers could bring it back. In addition, she said any maps would have to withstand judicial scrutiny.

All INdiana Politics airs at 9:30 a.m. Sunday on WISH-TV.

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