Suspicious mail sent to Bay Area offices of Lofgren, Panetta and DeSaulnier

SANTA CRUZ – Investigations are underway after suspicious mail arrived Friday at the Bay Area offices of three members of Congress.

A staff member at the Santa Cruz office of U.S. Rep. Jimmy Panetta opened an envelope containing a “white powdery substance,” the congressman said in a statement.

Panetta said the staff member placed the envelope in a garbage can, evacuated the office and called 911.

“My priority is the safety and security of my staff and, thankfully, she and the other staff have been initially cleared by medical officials,” said Panetta, a Democrat whose 19th District spans the Central Coast and a portion of the South Bay. “I’m grateful to local law enforcement and first responders for their swift response.”

U.S. Rep. Zoe Lofgren said her office in San Jose also received a suspicious letter.

“Law enforcement was immediately called,” said Lofgren, a Democrat whose 18th District spans the Central Coast and a portion of the South Bay. “The investigation is ongoing. All of my staffers are safe.”

Lofgren did not share any other details about the incident, but said she “will have more to say after the investigation is complete.”

Similar letters have been sent to congressional and election offices across the country. Federal authorities are urging recipients to treat the mailings as “potentially hazardous.”

“Some of the letters contained an unknown substance and we are working closely with our law enforcement partners to respond to each incident,” the FBI said in a statement. “We are also working with our partners to identify the individual or individuals responsible for the letters.”

Panetta noted in his statement that “threats, fear mongering, and violence against public servants have become too common over the past decade and undermine our democracy.”

“But these attempts to intimidate us will not deter us from doing our job,” Panetta said.

U.S. Rep. Mark DeSaulnier confirmed he was one of the congressmen who received a suspicious letter at his office on Friday.

DeSaulnier said on his Facebook page that a member of his team found a letter matching the description of the others delivered to congressional district offices nationwide.

The congressman said his team member immediately secured the envelope without opening it and called local law enforcement and U.S. Capital Police.

DeSaulnier, who represents California’s District 10, which covers much of Contra Costa County and parts of Alameda County, denounced the threat.

“Threats and political violence seem to have reached a fever pitch in our country, and I urge my fellow Americans to stand united against such attempts at undermining our democracy,” said DeSaulnier.

“My priority remains the safety and security of my team, and I am thankful for the quick and decisive response.”

The congressman said he and his team remain “committed” to serve his constituents and would not be deterred by threats.

The Associated Press contributed to this report. Check back for updates.