Hugo Woman Charged with Making Threatening Calls to House Speaker Lisa Demuth

(KNSI) — A 42-year-old Hugo woman is being charged after investigators say she made threatening and harassing phone calls to House Speaker and Representative Lisa Demuth.

According to the criminal complaint, starting in January, Rachel Welsch called Demuth’s office, saying she wanted to meet her “wherever you are” and that she should be “wondering when we are going to come.” She also demanded federal agents leave the state, said she was going to find Demuth, angrily voiced concerns about cuts to federal funding and called her a “racist piece of [expletive].” Demuth is biracial.

The Minnesota State Patrol, who are in charge of security for state lawmakers, went to Welsch’s home, and she allegedly admitted to making the calls, but court documents indicate she continued leaving increasingly violent and threatening messages with two thinly veiled threats of a shooting. One reportedly said while Demuth was out campaigning for governor, Welsch was taking target practice, adding that she was getting really good, that Demuth was “going to fall,” and that she [Welsch] would be there “at the end of that barrel.” Another said there is no bulletproof glass between the two of them, and Welsch said she would send Demuth a picture of a piece of paper to show off her marksmanship.

Demuth is a Republican Representative from Cold Spring. Separately, Republican Patti Anderson, who represents the area where Welsch lives, also reported receiving threats.

Welsch is charged with one count of threats of violence. She remains free on bail. Her next court date is April 7th.

___