Hollace “Holly” Lyon has been trying to get elected to the Arizona House in Southern Arizona since 2014, but this time a social-media post many are describing as a call to violence may derail her latest campaign in Arizona’s LD17.
Lyon, a gun-control advocate, posted a response on X to an ABC News report about a shooting in Louisville, Kentucky, and wrote she was thinking that “this has to happen to some lawmakers or their” families before lawmakers would “finally turn their backs on the gun makers and pass some laws.”
One local voter who criticized the post said “Lyon’s call for violence to advance her political agenda is disqualifying, and she should do the right thing and withdraw from the race. But she’s not sorry and is doubling down on her message. She thinks the voters agree with her and will elect her.”
Social-media controversies involving violent rhetoric have affected politicians and candidates across the country.
In 2024, Colorado Democratic state Rep. Tim Hernández Woodrow came under criticism for a social-media post following the attempted assassination of Donald Trump. Woodrow subsequently apologized, saying his wording had been insensitive and emphasizing that political disagreements should be resolved peacefully at the ballot box.
More recently, Democratic North Carolina House candidate Shelly Headen came under national scrutiny over old social-media comments that included statements about attacking U.S. red states and waiting for “MAGA” supporters to die off. Democratic Party organizations in North Carolina withdrew their support for Headen, although she remained on the ballot because of election-law deadlines.
One local Republican focused on Lyon’s long political history, asking “Lyon keeps running and keeps losing, for more than a decade now, so why destroy your latest campaign with an attack so vile?”
You won’t hear anything about it from Lyon’s Democratic running mate, incumbent Kevin Volk, who is seeking reelection. He has been silent on the controversy.
The two Republican candidates are the other House incumbent Rachel Keshel, and John Winchester. The four candidates are competing for two seats, meaning the two candidates receiving the most votes in November will be elected.
The question for voters is not whether political violence is acceptable—it is not—but whether Lyon’s advocacy of violence against elected officials – especially in Southern Arizona – crosses a line they consider unacceptable for someone seeking public office.
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