Republican Rep. Tom Reed's office on Friday said a dead animal and a brick with the name of a family member was left at the congressman's home in Corning. 

"Today, my family and I were threatened at our home in Corning," Reed said in a statement. "The cowards used a dead animal and a brick with a family member’s name on it to try to intimidate us. We assure everyone such threats only energize us to stand stronger."

Police and federal law enforcement have been contacted, Reed said. 

"Across the country, politics has taken a disturbing turn," he said. "We have to overcome this. I know that we can. We are all Americans first. What unites us is far greater than our political differences."

Reed was first elected to Congress in 2012 and represents a district that stretches from the Southern Tier to parts of western New York. He faces Democratic challenger Tracy Mitrano this November.