Washington — The Michigan GOP canceled an observation party for the state’s primary results after a female staffer was verbally attacked at the party’s headquarters on Tuesday morning, the Republican Party said.
Gustavo Portela, communications director for the Michigan Republican Party, Say The State party received “several” death threats this week, but the warning reached a tipping point on the morning of the primary, when the party’s headquarters in Lansing received threats from a bystander who did nothing but verbally In addition to beating the staff member, he also threatened to shoot the building and burn it down.
“Unfortunately, members of the opposing side will grab this and joke about the situation, but that’s the type of politics they play right now,” Portela said in a statement. “Our party won’t be intimidated. , despite the constant threats, we will continue to work tirelessly for Republican policy. Violence against women of any kind should not be tolerated.”
It said the Michigan GOP filed a police report about the incident with the Lansing Police Department.
Portella told CBS News that the unidentified suspect had previously been photographed outside the party’s headquarters. He said the “solidarity reception” of the state’s gubernatorial candidates scheduled for Wednesday is expected to continue, but with additional security.
Michigan voters head to the polls Tuesday will decide who will face Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in November’s election, who was unopposed in the Democratic primary. In the state’s 3rd congressional district, Republican Rep. Peter Meijer is fighting to win a battle with John Gibbs after voting to impeach former President Donald Trump for inciting a Jan. 6, 2021 uprising primary election. Gibbs previously served in the Trump administration at the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Aaron Navarro contributed to this report
