A Hugo woman is facing a felony charge after allegedly making threats of violence against Republican Minnesota House Speaker Lisa Demuth — less than a year after former Democratic House Speaker Melissa Hortman was assassinated in her home.
According to the criminal complaint filed Thursday, Rachel Marie Welsch, 42, called Demuth almost daily, leaving voicemails that grew more and more threatening over time.
The complaint, which refers to Demuth as Victim, says the calls were made during the months of January and February of this year.
In her first voicemail, Welsch allegedly stated, “I am gonna come down there and meet you, [Victim.] People in poverty aren’t your fucking toys to play with … I am going to come and meet you, [Victim]. I am not kidding. Wherever you are, you should be wondering when we are going to come.”
In another message that same day, Welsch reportedly expressed her anger “about federal funding being cut for daycare” and called Demuth a “racist piece of shit.”
“Welsch said she would find Victim, wherever she was,” the complaint says, noting that state troopers visited Welsch’s home in early January to discuss the voicemails with her.
At first, she agreed to speak with the law enforcement officers, but her demeanor “changed from friendly to annoyed and short” when they told her they were there to discuss the voicemails, according to the complaint.
Welsch acknowledged leaving voicemails but asked the troopers to leave when they asked her if she planned to harm Demuth, the complaint adds.
Despite the visit from law enforcement, Welsch allegedly continued calling Demuth — who is running for governor — and said she would “be there every step of the campaign.”
In a Jan. 8 voicemail, Welsch reportedly demanded the removal of federal immigration agents from the state and called Demuth a “traitor.”
“If [Victim] doesn’t show a speck of remorse, of feeling bad, if she does not come out supporting our state, she is a traitor. She is a traitor, and what do we do to traitors? What did they do to traitors back in the day? I am going to have to brush up on my history. Because you know what? You guys, you guys are making it very obvious you are okay with Minnesotans dying, but you are forgetting you are also Minnesotans,” Welsch said, according to the complaint.
The complaint describes additional voicemails in Welsch allegedly referenced “bulletproof glass,” said Demuth was “going to fall” and that Welsch would “be at the end of that barrel,” and claimed Demuth was responsible for “raping children and murdering babies.”
In a Feb. 24 voicemail, Welsch said she planned to meet Demuth on the campaign trail and looked forward to showing Demuth “how good I have been getting at my 2A [Second Amendment] classes.”
“And I just know Republicans love guns and they love shooting, and so I wanted to show you. I actually have a piece of paper, I can send you a picture to show you how good of a marksman I am. It was my first time like shooting round upon round. It was fun, I’m taking my mom there,” Welsch reportedly stated.
Demuth told police that “Welsch’s threats have affected her significantly” and filed a restraining order against her on Feb. 25. The Minnesota State Patrol has also obtained a temporary extreme risk protection order (ERPO) against Welsch. The ERPO petition filed by the State Patrol says Welsch was also calling and leaving messages for Republican Rep. Patti Anderson.
Anthony Gockowski
Anthony Gockowski is Editor-in-Chief of Alpha News. He previously worked as an editor for The Minnesota Sun and Campus Reform, and wrote for the Daily Caller.
