Mary Spicuzza and Patrick Marley

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Democratic candidate for governor Tony Evers started receiving Wisconsin State Patrol protection following a recent Facebook threat.

Sources told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel about the threat and law enforcement protection Tuesday. Evers campaign spokeswoman Maggie Gau confirmed Wednesday that he was getting State Patrol protection after an "issue" arose over the weekend.

Barron County Sheriff Chris Fitzgerald said his office was asked by state officials over the weekend to interview a man related to an online threat against Evers.

"We were contacted on Sunday by the Capitol Police. They referenced a threat that was made on Facebook, and they asked us to interview a subject in Dallas, Wisconsin, which is in our county," Fitzgerald said.

He added that an interview was conducted, but the man was not taken into custody.

"No arrests were made," Fitzgerald said. "No other action was taken."

The threat against Evers came as high-profile Democrats such as the Clintons and Obamas, as well as CNN, have been sent pipe bombs, and in the wake of a mass shooting at a Pittsburgh synagogue.

Aides to Gov. Scott Walker — Evers' opponent — largely declined to discuss the situation Wednesday, but Walker told Madison's WKOW-TV he called Evers about the threat and wanted him to get protection.

The Evers campaign says the two did talk, but it was after the State Patrol had approved protection for Evers.

It’s common for sitting governors to be under the protection of the State Patrol’s Dignitary Protection Unit.

But it’s historically been rare for candidates for state office to have State Patrol protection. Evers, however, differs from some past candidates for governor because as Wisconsin's schools superintendent, he is already a state official.

The State Patrol's Dignitary Protection Unit provides security for the governor, visiting national and international figures and — as directed by top State Patrol officials — other elected officials, according to the State Patrol.

The State Patrol did not provide details about the threat against Evers.

“As a general policy, we do not comment on security-related matters," said Christian Schneider, a spokesman for the Department of Transportation, which oversees the State Patrol.

Walker, as well as Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch and their families, have had State Patrol protection during their time in office. Security for them and their families was especially tight in the wake of Walker’s 2011 measure to all but end collective bargaining for most of Wisconsin’s public workers. The battle over Act 10 brought tens of thousands of protesters to the state Capitol, and led to threats against both Republican and Democratic lawmakers.

Evers is in a tight race with Walker in the lead up to Tuesday's election.

VOTER GUIDE:Voter guide: Here's what you need to know about Wisconsin's Nov. 6 general election

ELECTION RACES: See the full list of races and referendums.

Patrick Marley of the Journal Sentinel staff contributed to this report.