OK lawmakers ask Ethics Commission to use campaign funds for security, following Minnesota politician attacks

OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) — Oklahoma lawmakers are reeling after the violent killings of Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, inside their home last month. They're now asking the Ethics Commission to consider the use of campaign funds for security protections.

Senate Pro Tempore Lonnie Paxton said the attacks displayed the true risks lawmakers face on a day-to-day basis.

"I think my reaction was the same as probably every other person in the nation, just shock and horror," Paxton said.

Police say the suspected gunman, Vance Boelter, compiled a list of targets, with many holding political offices.

Another Minnesota congressman and his wife were attacked and severely injured by Boelter.

House Minority Leader Cyndi Munson said she and other lawmakers have been proceeding with caution.

"There have been more and more lawmakers who have just felt, you know, that it's important to take control of their safety," Munson said.

Senate Pro Tempore Lonnie Paxton, Senate Minority Leader Julia Kirt, House Speaker Kyle Hilbert, and House Minority Leader Cyndi Munson wrote a letter to the Ethics Commission, requesting the use of campaign funds for security tools.

"That's already something that's allowed in ethics rules, that we can use campaign funds to pay for things that are, you know, considered normal, necessary to being an office holder," said Paxton.

Some of the security measures include motion detectors, camera systems, gates, fencing, and cybersecurity tools.

Munson said, "People deserve to be protected, especially when they're standing up for their communities and just trying to make our state and our world a better place."

Paxton said the purpose of their request isn't to secure funding to buy weapons, but to implement better security to protect themselves and their families.

"This is just a little something to maybe make it a little bit safer at home. So if somebody was going to do something, they would know that, you know, there's a very strong possibility there's going to be cameras and security measures at those houses," said Paxton.

An answer from the Ethics Commission is expected sometime next month, Paxton said.