"These are really tense times," Middleton said. "Much more hateful, much more vitriolic, much more directed as well."
The shooting comes as the City of Durham prepares for the primary on October 7, with several public forums being held this week.
"Public service should be an area where folks feel free to go to work and know that they're going home at the end of the day," Middleton said. "I'm concerned about our residents as well."
Although Middleton said he's taking safety seriously, he's staying vigilant.
"As an elected official there's not a day that goes by where I don't think about that," Middleton said. "Every morning, we wake up, we must recommit ourselves to protecting, just like we have to protect our children and protect our health. We've got to protect this democracy."
Although some experts say the nation is on edge after an uptick in political violence in the U.S., political science expert Steven Greene said it's helpful when more people speak out against the violence, especially leaders.
"I think that it is helpful when there is universal condemnation of political violence," Greene said. "We need to work together to try to make this democracy work."
Elijah King and Matt Kopac, who are among the candidates running for the Ward One seat in Durham, also weighed in on the current political climate.
"I think we have to respect each other," King said.
Kopac echoed King before the public form on Thursday.
"I think it's critical we take stock when something like this happens," Kopac said. "Think about how we can find ways to disagree and fight for what we believe in without being so quick to turn others into the enemy."