Police investigating threatening voicemails left for Jackson Township mayor
News 12 obtained several of those voice mails and spoke exclusively with Mayor Jennifer Kuhn and her mayoral opponent Elliott Shem-Tov about what comes next.
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Politics can get ugly, but as the highly watched race for Jackson Township mayor heats up, a series of vulgar and threatening voice mails sent to the current mayor now has the attention of police.
News 12 obtained several of those voice mails and spoke exclusively with Mayor Jennifer Kuhn and her mayoral opponent Elliott Shem-Tov about what comes next.
Jackson Mayor Jennifer Kuhn says the vulgar voicemails began about three weeks ago.
"Take that piece of **** family of yours get on a jet and get the ****out of America. I hope you die." “How do you like freedom of speech you little Nazi ****," said one of the callers.
Several calls went to her personal business line, and others to her Town Hall line.
"To go and say that you want me killed is insane, you don't know me," said Mayor Kuhn. "You get fearful. It's definitely not normal. I don't think. I think about my nieces that live 11 doors down from me."
Kuhn's political rival, mayoral candidate Elliott Shem-Tov, heard the voicemails for the first time.
"There is no place in politics or everyday life speaking to people that way, people shouldn't be threatened, their life shouldn't be threatened," said Shem-Tov.
Shem-Tov says these calls did not come from his supporters.
"If these are real voicemails, if these are people that are really that hostile, you don't call somebody and threaten them, you go to the ballot box Nov. 3 and you vote for the other candidate, that's how you make real change," said Shem-Tov.
Police tell News 12 they are taking the voicemails and threats seriously. They increased their presence around Town Hall, especially during council meetings held twice a month.
Lt. Joseph Candido could only listen to about 30 seconds before he heard enough.
"It is illegal. They are crimes. They fall under the harassment statute, terroristic threats, depending on the wording that's being sent," said Lt. Candido.
"Hopefully, they will catch these people and hold them accountable," said Shem-Tov.
"I think the voices need to be heard on Election Day. If you want to do something you vote, that's the way you get your voice heard," said Mayor Kuhn.
