MADISON, Wis. — Wisconsin state Rep. Sylvia Ortiz-Velez has been accused of making a violent threat against three of her fellow Democratic colleagues, an allegation she has denied, calling it the result of “poorly worded hyperbole.” The accusations have sparked controversy within the state legislature, leading to an official investigation into the incident.
What Happened
The allegations surfaced on Thursday, when Ortiz-Velez reportedly made a comment about shooting three colleagues with whom she had disagreements. Democratic leaders swiftly condemned the remark, saying that it came after a tense period of conflicts within the party. On Saturday, state Democratic leaders issued a statement revealing that Ortiz-Velez had left the Democratic caucus, a move which followed the troubling comment.
Despite the accusations, Ortiz-Velez denied that she had threatened her colleagues, telling local media outlets that the comment was not meant seriously. She explained that her language was a result of frustration, stating it was “poorly worded hyperbole.” The Democratic leadership, however, was not dismissive of the gravity of the situation, especially in light of the recent assassination of former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband.
Reactions
Democratic leaders have expressed outrage at the remark and have taken action. Minority Leader Greta Neubauer, Assistant Minority Leader Kalan Haywood, and Minority Caucus Chair Lisa Subeck, along with other caucus members, emphasized in their statement that they could not ignore the seriousness of the allegation. They referred the matter to the Legislature’s human resources office and the Capitol Police for further investigation.
The Assembly Speaker Robin Vos also weighed in on the situation, with his spokesperson Luke Wolff stating that Ortiz-Velez should not have been barred from the state Capitol building earlier this week. While her access to the Capitol was eventually restored, the incident has cast a shadow over the ongoing tensions within the Democratic ranks.
Ortiz-Velez, who represents central Milwaukee, had previously voiced frustration over her treatment within the caucus. In interviews, she claimed that she had endured years of cruel and harsh treatment by her colleagues, a sentiment that she felt had been ignored by leadership.
What’s Next
With the investigation into Ortiz-Velez’s comments still ongoing, the situation remains fluid. The departure of Ortiz-Velez from the Democratic caucus does not change the balance of power in the Assembly, where Republicans currently hold a 54-45 majority.
Ortiz-Velez, despite leaving the caucus, has indicated that she plans to remain a Democrat, which could influence the upcoming legislative proceedings. As a result, some lawmakers are questioning how to move forward with pending resolutions, including one on recognizing Hispanic Heritage Month. Ortiz-Velez, who authored the resolution, has clashed with Rep. Priscilla Prado, who introduced a similar resolution, adding fuel to the existing tensions between the two.
The investigation is expected to continue, and further updates will be provided as more details emerge.
This is a developing story. We will update this article as more information becomes available.
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