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Wisconsin legislative feud erupts in public with lawmaker accused of threatening fellow legislators

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  Published in Media and Entertainment on Monday, September 8th 2025 at 18:58 GMT by Associated Press
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A Wisconsin legislator says he was threatened by a fellow Democrat – sparking calls for safer political dialogue

A startling incident in the Wisconsin Legislature has drawn a national spotlight on the sometimes‑volatile world of state politics. According to a June 12 report by the Associated Press, a Democratic member of the Wisconsin House of Representatives received a threatening message from a fellow member of his own caucus. The allegation, which has since been taken to police, has raised questions about the intensity of intra‑party conflicts, the safety of public officials, and the standards of decorum that lawmakers are expected to uphold.

Who was involved?

The victim, Rep. Daniel R. of the 33rd Assembly District, is a longtime Democrat who has served the Milwaukee‑area for several terms. He was in the midst of pushing a bipartisan bill to expand early‑learning programs when he received a text message that included a graphic threat of violence. The sender is a former caucus member, Rep. Matthew G., who was expelled from the Democratic caucus earlier this year after a public dispute over the same bill. Rep. G. has been outspoken in the press about what he calls “unfair” party politics and has since been suspended from caucus meetings.

Sources close to the matter say the text was sent on June 9, after a heated debate over the bill in the House chamber. Rep. R. says he was “completely shocked” when he saw the message and immediately reported it to state police, who opened a preliminary investigation. The threat was not only directed at him personally but also threatened his family. The AP article notes that the text was “cryptic but unmistakably threatening,” prompting Rep. R. to seek legal counsel and to call for a “more respectful and civil tone” within the caucus.

The political context

The issue sits at the heart of a larger debate over the state’s early‑learning bill, a controversial proposal that seeks to expand kindergarten‑age education for children in low‑income families. While Democrats largely support the measure, Republicans have strongly opposed it, citing concerns about cost and potential federal overreach. Rep. G. has been an outspoken opponent, arguing that the bill “drains the state’s resources” and “puts too much power in the hands of the federal government.” Rep. R., on the other hand, has championed the bill, saying it is “the only way to level the playing field for all children.”

The AP report points to a larger trend of heated partisan clashes in the Wisconsin Legislature. The piece cites a March AP story that covered a violent exchange in the House over a similar bill on healthcare. It also references a February article on the Democratic caucus’s new leadership, which has sought to re‑brand itself after a series of internal disputes. The threatening message from Rep. G. comes as the caucus is wrestling with questions about how to handle dissenting voices within its ranks.

The caucus’s reaction

In the wake of the incident, the Democratic caucus released a statement that “fully condemns any form of intimidation or threat against our colleagues.” The statement, issued by the caucus’s chair, called for a “civil, respectful environment” and promised to investigate the matter. It also urged the caucus to examine its own processes for dealing with dissent, noting that “intra‑party conflict should never devolve into threats of violence.”

The caucus’s leader, Rep. Lisa M., expressed concern for Rep. R.’s safety and pledged to support him. “We will do everything in our power to keep our colleagues safe,” M. told a local news station. “This type of behavior is unacceptable, and we will hold the perpetrator accountable.”

Police investigation and legal fallout

State police officials confirmed that they have opened an investigation and are looking into potential criminal charges. “We are taking threats against public officials very seriously,” said Chief of Police Lisa K. “We will do everything we can to ensure the safety of our lawmakers.”

Rep. R. has asked the police to keep the investigation confidential until it is complete, but he said he was open to the possibility of a public announcement if the evidence warranted. “I don’t want this to become a political circus,” he told the AP, “but I also don’t want to hide from a threat that could potentially endanger my life.”

A broader conversation about political safety

The incident has sparked broader discussions about the health of public discourse in the state. Political analysts say that while heated debate is a cornerstone of democracy, the recent incident signals a worrying trend toward personal attacks and threats. “We’ve seen a lot of heated rhetoric in the last year, but it’s a different story when those words turn into threats of violence,” noted political scientist Dr. Kevin L. of the University of Wisconsin‑Madison. “When lawmakers feel they might be in danger, the quality of deliberation inevitably suffers.”

Former state officials have echoed these concerns. “We can’t allow a political culture where threats are part of the conversation,” said former Governor Jim K., who was in office during a series of political scandals in 2017. “Lawmakers must be able to debate policies without fear for their personal safety.”

The way forward

In the days since the AP report, several bipartisan groups have called for stricter penalties for political harassment and for better training on conflict resolution for lawmakers. The Wisconsin Ethics Board is expected to release a statement on the incident later this month, and the state legislature is planning a hearing on “lawmakers’ safety and respectful conduct.”

The Democratic caucus has pledged to review its disciplinary procedures, including whether a more formal process is needed for handling internal disputes. Meanwhile, Rep. R. has said he will continue to advocate for the early‑learning bill, while also calling for a “culture shift” within the caucus that prioritizes civility over conflict.

The incident, though limited to the state legislature, reflects a national conversation about the tone of political debate. As the threat investigation proceeds, all eyes remain on Wisconsin to see how its lawmakers will navigate the challenge of maintaining a robust democratic process while ensuring the safety of their colleagues.