Shifts and New Developments

Fewer local elected officials reported decreased willingness to participate in public events due to hostility during the fourth quarter of the year, although overall levels of negative impact on political activity remained high (see graph below). This shift corresponds, in part, with a significantly smaller proportion of non-minority officials reporting a negative impact on their willingness to take part in public events last quarter. The previous spike during the third quarter coincided with multiple high-profile incidents in the lead-up to the election, including two assassination attempts on then-candidate Donald Trump. 

Despite the positive change in willingness to participate in public events, the broader increase in threats and harassment against local officials continues to have a chilling effect on their willingness to carry out the duties of their office and participate in civic space. During the fourth quarter, 74% of officials reported at least some reduction in willingness to run for re-election or another office, post on social media, work on controversial topics, or be in public while not working, compared to 66% during the second quarter of the year, for example. And while fewer officials reported a negative impact on their willingness to take part in public events, the baseline remains high: more than 1 in 3 officials still expressed decreased willingness to participate in events due to concerns about hostility, presenting sustained challenges for constituent access and civic engagement (see graph below).

More women officials said that they were worried about harassment last quarter, returning to high levels recorded earlier in the year following a significant decline in the third quarter. Almost half – 49% – of women officials reported concerns about harassment, compared to 31% of men. This coincides with a rise in violent rhetoric and online hate targeting women in the aftermath of the election. 

• The proportion of men who reported worry about hostility continued to gradually return to a lower baseline after a spike in the second quarter of the year following the shooting at then-candidate Trump’s campaign rally in July. 

Concerns about hostility have real consequences: local officials who express worry about even less severe forms of hostility like insults are less likely to engage in important political activities, including running for re-election, working on controversial issues, and attending public events. 

• Last quarter, nearly half – 48% – of local elected officials reported a decreased willingness to work on controversial issues due to concerns about hostility, marking the highest level recorded since the survey began asking about these impacts in 2023 (see graph above). This represents sustained high levels of negative impact following a spike in the third quarter.

This fear is not abstract. BDI’s Threats and Harassment Dataset (THD) indicates that local officials who expressed public opposition to the Trump administration’s proposed immigration policies following the election, for example, faced targeted threats and harassment in November and December. The resultant hesitancy to engage on hot-button topics induced by threats and harassment can distort policymaking, impede bipartisan collaboration, and reduce representation. 

Continuing Trends

Severe forms of hostility like threats and attacks continue to cut across party lines. While Democrats and Independents reported higher levels of insults in the fourth quarter of 2024, rates of severe hostility did not differ substantially by party. This trend has remained consistent across survey rounds over the last two years. When faced with threats or navigating contentious issues, local officials describe support from other officials — including connections across party lines and between officials who disagree politically —  as important components of their response strategies to mitigate the effects of hostility.

Levels of hostility continued to vary across demographics, particularly among age, gender, and minority groups during the fourth quarter of 2024.

• Young officials report substantially higher rates of hostility, worry, and decreased willingness to participate in political processes compared to older officials. For example, 50% of all officials under 34 reported experiencing threats in the fourth quarter of 2024 – rates almost three times greater than other age groups. Additionally, 83% reported being less likely to run for re-election – nearly two times more than other age groups. 
• Women report facing significantly higher rates of hostility, worry, and decreased willingness to engage in political activities compared to men. This trend has been consistent across survey waves and carried into last quarter. 
• Minority officials report experiencing higher rates of attacks, worry about all hostility types, and decreased willingness to participate in public events or go out in public when not working. For example, over the past four quarters, 23% of minority officials reported worry about attacks, compared to 13% of non-minority officials. 

Women and people of color are already underrepresented in local government, and the disproportionate impact of threats and harassment could further exacerbate these disparities. The combination of increased hostility, persistent fears, and reduced engagement undermines the ability of local governments to function effectively and representatively, particularly in communities where policy debates are already polarized. Addressing these challenges is critical to ensuring that all officials, regardless of location or identity, can participate fully and safely in the democratic process.

This analysis is based on updated results from BDI’s quarterly national survey of municipal, county, township, and school board officials on their experiences of threats and harassment, conducted in partnership with CivicPulse. It provides findings from the 10th survey wave, which covers the fourth quarter of 2024 and includes responses from over 400 local elected officials and 200 school board officials, putting the total number of participants across all 10 survey waves at more than 4,000. Quarterly surveys from BDI and CivicPulse will continue in 2025.