Clark blames Republicans for political violence

After the attack on Speaker Nancy Pelosi's husband, Paul, U.S. Rep. Katherine Clark (D-Melrose) is asking voters to reject candidates who seek power by turning Americans against each other, and she's condemning antisemitism in her own district.

What they're saying: "Where is the bottom for this? It's going to end in continued violence in our communities against elected leaders," Clark told Axios this week.

• She said this year's midterms should be a time for voters "to come together and choose community over chaos."
• The answer to the country's political conflicts "cannot be through division, misinformation and appeals to hate speech and violence," Clark said.

Threat level: In a separate statement, Clark rebuked extremism and blamed Republicans for what she described as using misinformation, divisive rhetoric and hate speech to win votes.

Separately: On Wednesday, Clark in a statement said she was horrified by an incident in Stoneham in which antisemitic language and swastikas were found on the lawn of a private home.

• "These incidents are a chilling reminder of the anti-Semitism proliferating in the Commonwealth and our nation," Clark wrote in the statement.

Between the lines: As Assistant Speaker of the House, Clark is the fourth-highest ranking Democrat in Congress and a key player on Pelosi's leadership team. She could rise even higher in the ranks when Pelosi and her top two deputies retire.