Federal campaign spending on security has skyrocketed, with costs over five times higher than in the 2016 election cycle. This surge follows alarming increases in threats against public servants and their families.

The rise is particularly concerning for candidates who now face significant financial pressures to ensure their safety and that of their families. Justin Sherman, interim vice president of the Security Project at Public Service Alliance, warns that no candidate should be forced to choose between serving in office and personal security risks.

In Minnesota, incidents have more than quadrupled: from 18 incidents in 2024 to 92 in 2025. A 2025 Pew Research Center survey found a sharp increase in reported threats against public servants’ families, with a 3,700 percent rise between 2015 and 2025.

While campaign events remain the primary focus of security spending, there has been a significant surge in digital security measures. The cost for such services increased by nearly 400 percent from $184,000 to over $900,000 between the 2017–2018 and 2023–2024 election cycles.

Legislators are pushing for reforms that would allow candidates to use campaign funds for security. For instance, Utah state senator Mike McKell recently passed a law allowing candidates to purchase security systems for their homes and offices.