Chellie Pingree

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U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree’s Portland office received a suspicious letter Monday, the latest in a string of concerning packages that have been sent to members of Congress in recent days.

Starting last week, representatives and senators around the country began getting similar letters, many of which authorities said contained an unknown white powder. The Portland office of Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, received one, her staff said Friday. Sens. Pete Ricketts, R-Nebraska, Ted Cruz, R-Texas, and Chuck Schumer, D-New York, were also among the several dozen recipients, NBC News reported.

The envelope containing the letter addressed to Pingree, D-1st District, had a return address of “DSA” along with the street number for a building in New York City’s financial district. But NBC reported that authorities have yet to trace the letters’ origins.

So far, no injuries have been reported in connection with the mailings.

“We cannot accept threats and intimidation as a normal part of our politics. The people who work in congressional offices and administer our elections are public servants dedicated to helping their communities. They deserve to do that work without fear,” Pingree said in a written statement. “Political disagreement is part of a healthy democracy. Threatening the people who keep it running is unacceptable.”

The statement from Pingree noted that the FBI responded to her office’s call about the letter, as did the Portland police and fire departments.

Pingree is heavily favored to win a 10th term representing Maine’s deep-blue 1st District this fall as she faces Republican Ronald Russell for the second straight election.

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