Aim is to ‘lower the political temperature’
By Hudson Crozier, Daily Caller News Foundation
Republican California Assemblywoman Laurie Davies introduced a bill to add political affiliation to the state’s hate crime classifications, telling the Daily Caller News Foundation she aims to “lower the political temperature.”
Political violence against high-profile figures has increased recently, notably hitting a new high in 2024 when President Donald Trump endured two assassination attempts during his campaign. Escalating further with the tragic murders of Turning Point USA Founder Charlie Kirk and Democratic Minnesota State Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband in 2025, Davies introduced Assembly Bill 1535 on Jan. 5.
AB 1535, also called the Hortman-Kirk Political Violence Prevention Act, was inspired by a handful of political attacks that have occurred since 2022, notably honoring Hortman and Kirk in the legislation’s name. When reviewing the impact she wanted to make on the 2026 legislative year, Davies told the DCNF that she wanted to help bring down tensions between the two sides.