Within minutes of the first news reports of the shooting of a Republican lawmaker near Washington, Congresswoman Claudia Tenney of Oneida County received threats.

Claudia Tenney during a 2015 Binghamton radio interview. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)
Claudia Tenney during a 2015 Binghamton radio interview. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)
loading...

In recent months, Tenney - a Republican who represents New York's 22nd District - has reported being threatened.

During an interview on WNBF Radio's Binghamton Now program Wednesday morning, Tenney said she received a threat "right after the shooting on email." She said the threat read: "One down, 216 to go...."

Tenney said the message continued: "Did you NOT expect this? When you take away ordinary peoples very lives in order to pay off the wealthiest among us, your own lives are forefeit. Certainly, your souls and morality were lost long before. Good riddance."

This image of an emailed message was provided by Congresswoman's Claudia Tenney's office on June 14, 2017.
This image of an emailed message was provided by Congresswoman's Claudia Tenney's office on June 14, 2017.
loading...

The congresswoman said she has received messages that have contained threats and wishes that she and her son, who is serving in the military, will be harmed.

Tenney said had received "even more foul messages" posted on Facebook and via email and voicemails at her offices.

She expressed disappointment by the tone of political discourse in the nation. She said "First Amendment rights and robust debate does not include violence."

Tenney said she wants to listen to constituents but "this kind of activity with threats is just not acceptable."

Tenney has said the threats she's received are being investigated but no arrests have been reported.

The congresswoman said authorities can act only if they determine someone intends to act on a threat.

Tenney said her office is handling security at her own expense or through the use of volunteers, including friends or retired police officers

For breaking news and updates on developing stories, follow @BinghamtonNow on Twitter.

More From WNBF News Radio 1290 AM & 92.1 FM