Sussex County NJ Republican Chairman Condemns Far-Left Political Threats to Elected Officials

[SUSSEX COUNTY, NJ — September 10, 2026] — The recent arrest of Pennsylvania Attorney Karl Heideck over his alleged threats and harassment of Sussex County Commissioner Jill Space and his previous reported harassment of the President of Rider University raise deeply troubling questions about the growing far left hyperbole designed to cause violent reactions on their political targets. The tone of violent threats and harassment has been lingering in Sussex county by far left actors on social media since 2019.

I once personally and publicly called out threats made to elected officials, made by Newton Facebook Blogger Michael Schackenburg, who was reportedly visited by the Secret Service. Schnackenburg collaborates openly with of many Sussex County Democrats and far left activists. Schnackenburg to my knowledge is a Democrat, and to my knowledge, not one Democrat party leader has ever condemned him for his violent threats. These threats were published here: https://www.townshipjournal.com/opinion/letters-to-the-editor/michael-schnackenberg-is-a-slander-machine-for-the-sussex-county-democrats-JM1781821 and here:  https://www.spartaindependent.com/opinion/letters-to-the-editor/michael-schnackenberg-is-a-slander-machine-for-the-sussex-county-democrats-JM1781821. Schackenburg writes a column called "The Sussex County Informer" on Facebook. Recently, Kenneth Collins, a candidate for public office in Andover, wore a shirt he had designed to a Sussex county commissioners meeting, facing Commissioner Jill Space, the shirt reading "F--k Jill Space" which he flashed publically. The tone of leftist vitriol in Sussex county must stop and the leaders of the democratic party,and their supporters must call for its end.

Political disagreements are inevitable. Threats and violence are not political debate—they are an attack on the democratic process itself. From the Floyd Riots to the Charlie Kirk Assasination. Our recent history is wrought with left wing violence. From the "Weather Underground" of the 1960s, a group that carried out 25 bombings against political leadership; the "United Freedom Front" of the 1980s that murdered police officers; to the "ANTIFA" group that operates from the fog of anonymity, committing arson, robbery, assaults, harassment and intimidation; to the shooting of multiple Republican Congressmen by the "Democratic Socialist" James Hodgkinson in 2017; far left political violence has been significant from the 1960s to the present.

Republicans should not be expected to remain silent when political actors use inflammatory language, hyperbole, or demonstrably inaccurate claims in ways that can place individuals or political opponents in danger.

Recently, a group of people have been spreading hyperbolic accusations against Sussex County elected officials who are elected with large majorities of the electorate. This group has been showing up to commissioner meetings, making outlandish and inaccurate accusations about racism, NAZIs, mutilation of dead slaves, and then broadcasting these statements throughout social media, nationwide. People who come to the call from this group attempt to label all of Sussex county with a hereditary guilt for historical actions common to all in previous centuries. This group, called "Sussex Visibility Brigade" takes no accountability, and does not name its members or leaders, yet its social media spreads hyperbolic disinformation to nationwide audiences. I'm concerned that these alleged threats and harassment are  materializing from this group's hyperbolic activities. Here is what seems to be their funding source: https://linktr.ee/sussexvisibilitybrigade?utm and their group's identifications: https://www.mobilize.us/visibilitybrigade/event/953125/? Here the "Visibility Brigade" is reported to have worked in concert with NJ Educators: https://www.townshipjournal.com/news/local-news/may-day-rally-and-march-in-newton-to-highlight-workers-rights-and-community-issues-EN5816363

There is a line between protest and intimidation. There is a line between harsh political criticism and incitement. And there is a line between passionate disagreement and threatening violence. 

We therefore call on Governor Mikie Sherrill, the NJ Attorney General, and the Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police to denounce these actions, and all threats of violence currently being normalized in left wing circles.

Republicans in New Jersey will continue to defend vigorous political debate, peaceful protest, and the First Amendment. But we will also defend the basic principle that political opponents are fellow Americans—not targets.