This week, incumbent Mayor Fred Burton was sent a noose and a threatening note, urging him to drop out of the upcoming election. The Arcola Police Department announced on Facebook that they are investigating the threatening package, and have enlisted the help of the FBI. A comment posted by the department declared, "This threat is being treated with the utmost seriousness and the Arcola Police Department has requested assistance from the FBI in investigating this criminal act." 

Described as a shocking act of intimidation, the noose was delivered directly to the city hall, according to a KTRK report, which has stunned the local community. The chief of Arcola Police, Arika Carr, and Mayor Burton found the noose extremely disturbing, with the Mayor saying "It's a slap. Especially on a Black man's face that he has to open up mail like that and see something like that. I thought we were better than that as a society." 

However, Burton, who is in pursuit of his fourth term as mayor, remains undeterred. He declared in an interview with KTRK, "This (election) has been the most, I guess, if you will, nasty. But I won't let that situation, that mail, I won't let those type of racial, if you will, throwbacks, affect me in this race," In the wake of the threat, police have stepped up security around the mayor.

Amidst this turmoil, Mayor Burton's opponent in the mayoral race, Veeda Williams, cast doubt on the authenticity of the package. Involved in a controversial package herself, she called for a DNA analysis to uncover the sender's identity, according to the Houston Chronicle. "I hope this has not been staged for the sake of the election, but given all the lies and ugliness thus far, it's not an unreasonable assumption at this point. I, for one, do not want the mayor to drop out of the race. But when he loses, I do want him to step aside peacefully," Williams stated on Facebook.

Controversy is not new to the Arcola mayoral race, as Mayor Burton's campaign has previously attracted attention when he posted, and later removed, a video of an opponent's campaign flier being burned. The Houston Landing, a nonprofit news organization, also reported that Burton hired a private investigation firm to follow council member Ebony Sanco, delving into her personal life and family. In light of these recent events, Arcola city council members have filed a lawsuit against Mayor Burton and other city officials, alleging interference with their duties as elected members.

With elections looming, Mayor Burton continues his campaign, undaunted by attempts of intimidation. As investigations proceed, the police urge anyone with pertinent information to step forward.