A death threat was made on U.S. Representative Paul Gosar last week. Gosar’s office retrieved a 36-second voicemail that came from a woman named Margaret Kathleen Spangenberg, a retired school teacher who lives in Glendale.
The voicemail states, “So, the way I see it, since you supported a child rapist who has 65 years of crimes and you are doing shit about Covid, and I’ve had people die, I think it’s totally ok for me to come with my gun and shoot you in the head. That’s what we think of you Mr. Gosar. You’re a murderer supporter and you are just going down. Murderer, murderer, murderer supporter, you are going down. And we’ll make sure we’ll send lots of protestors your way too. You’re a real big fucking piece of shit.”
Gosar’s chief of staff, Tom Van Flein, said the woman is under investigation by the U.S. Capitol Police. He is not sure if the Spangenberg will be charged. This threat is the fifth death threat Gosar has received in the past ten years as a representative. A warning poster was issued to Gosar’s office, instructing people to call the Capitol Police if the woman showed up there. Threatening an official is a Class C or D felony, and can be punishable by up to ten years in prison.
The Arizona Daily Independent attempted to contact the woman on Saturday. Even though people could be heard talking in the house, no one answered the door.
On September 3rd, Gosar discussed death threats on the iHeart Radio Show, The Conservative Circus with James T. Harris. That discussion was in regards to the death threat Gosar received from Spangenberg. Gosar pointed out that Spangenberg is a Mark Kelly supporter. Kelly, a former astronaut, is running for U.S. Senate in Arizona in a special election against Martha McSally.
I was on the @JamesTHarris Show to discuss political violence and a death threat against me from a Mark Kelly activist.
“AZ Congressman Paul Gosar responds to getting death threats and the violence and hatred being perpetuated by the Left. … https://t.co/ot2RVBHUAy— Paul Gosar (@DrPaulGosar) September 3, 2020
Van Flein was very critical of Spangenberg because of her support of Mark Kelly. “His wife was shot in the head. It is particularly despicable that she threatens a congressman like this.” Van Flein is referring to Gabby Giffords, Mark Kelly’s wife, who was shot by a gunman in 2011. She was severely disabled in the shooting. He went on to say, “There has been a general devolvement of civilized discussion. They feel morally justified to get people fired and hurting people. I think Mary feels justified in making this threat.”
Gosar said in a statement, “From Portland to DC and elsewhere radical Democrats espouse hate and violence and these words incite mentally ill people to take action,” said Gosar. “It’s completely unacceptable.”
photo credit: Arizona Daily Independent
Screenshot via Facebook
Mark Kelly was recently criticized by several prominent Republicans for not commenting sooner on the threat. Several days after the threat was made, Arizona Republican Party Chairwoman Kelli Ward demanded that Kelly made a statement condemning the threats.
In a tweet she said, “WHAT IS THE DEAL? Mark Kelly is refusing to condemn his violent supporter who threatened to shoot @DrPaulGosar in the head! The mainstream media is either asleep at the wheel again or actively covering for Kelly’s campaign. Really sick, integrity lost!…
WHAT IS THE DEAL? Mark Kelly is refusing to condemn his violent supporter who threatened to shoot @DrPaulGosar in the head! The mainstream media is either asleep at the wheel again or actively covering for Kelly’s campaign. Really sick, integrity lost!… https://t.co/hedb1rRGsj
— Dr. Kelli Ward 🇺🇸 (@kelliwardaz) September 8, 2020
Shortly after Ward’s Tweet, Kelly responded, “I know what it means to have an act of violence committed against a Member of Congress and family member. I strongly condemn this threat against Rep. Gosar. Threats of violence like this are wrong. I’m glad Capitol Police is investigating.”
I know what it means to have an act of violence committed against a Member of Congress and family member. I strongly condemn this threat against Rep. Gosar. Threats of violence like this are wrong. I’m glad Capitol Police is investigating.
— Captain Mark Kelly (@CaptMarkKelly) September 8, 2020
