Which party has shot more political figures democrat or republican

Checked on September 21, 2025
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1. Summary of the results

The analyses provided suggest that political violence is a growing concern in the US, affecting both Democratic and Republican figures [1] [2] [3] [4] [5]. While some sources report on specific instances of violence, such as the assassination of Charlie Kirk, a conservative influencer [1] [2] [3], and the shooting of Democratic Minnesota state Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband [1], others provide data on the frequency and deadliness of right-wing extremist violence compared to left-wing violence [4]. According to one analysis, approximately 75% to 80% of domestic terrorism deaths since 2001 have been caused by right-wing extremist violence [4]. However, the analyses do not provide a clear breakdown of which party's figures have been shot more [1] [5].

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

A key missing context in the original statement is the definition of "political figures" and the time frame considered [1] [2] [3] [4] [5]. Different sources may have different criteria for what constitutes a "political figure" and may consider different time periods, which could affect the comparison between the number of Democratic and Republican figures shot. Additionally, the role of ideology in political violence is highlighted by some analyses, which suggest that right-wing extremist violence is more frequent and deadly than left-wing violence [4]. This perspective is not universally represented across the analyses, and some sources focus more on the instances of violence rather than the ideological motivations behind them [1] [2] [3] [5].

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original statement may be misleading in implying that one party's figures have been shot more than the other, without providing a clear definition of "political figures" or a specific time frame [1] [2] [3] [4] [5]. This framing could be seen as benefiting those who seek to politicize violence and create a narrative of partisan victimhood. On the other hand, some analyses suggest that the focus on partisan violence may obscure the more significant issue of ideological extremism, particularly right-wing extremism, which is associated with a disproportionate amount of domestic terrorism deaths [4]. Ultimately, a nuanced understanding of political violence requires considering both the partisan and ideological dimensions, as well as the specific contexts and motivations behind each incident [1] [2] [3] [4] [5].

Want to dive deeper?
What are the most notable cases of political figure shootings in US history?
How do Democrat and Republican party platforms address gun control and violence?
Which party has had more politicians assassinated or targeted since 1900?
What role does party affiliation play in predicting support for gun control legislation?
How have incidents of political violence changed over time in the United States?