Candidate charged with tossing tarantula at tenant loses Republican endorsement

A candidate for Hennepin County Commissioner who was charged with assault this week after allegedly throwing a tarantula at a woman she was renting a room to has lost the support of local Republicans.

Marisa Simonetti, 30, was charged with the misdemeanor assault of Jackie Vasquez, an attorney staying with her in Edina while studying for the California bar exam.

Details of the charges suggest their relationship broke down, culminating with Simonetti allegedly attempting to force Vazquez to leave by throwing items down a staircase at her – including a live tarantula.

Simonetti, is running as a conservative candidate to become Hennepin County Commissioner in the 6th District. While the election is nonpartisan, her candidacy has been disavowed by 3rd Congressional District Republicans.

"In consultation with our Nominating Committee, I am announcing that the 3rd Congressional District Republicans do not endorse or recommend Marisa Simonetti for any elected office in this district," said Randy Sutter, chair of the 3rd Congressional District Republican Party.

"Simonetti does not reflect our values. In her representation of herself as a Republican, she has only served to embarrass the Republican Party."

"In light of the recent arrest of Marisa Simonetti for domestic assault, coupled with significant other information about her that has come to our attention after our meeting, the 3rd Congressional District Nominating Committee is withdrawing its previous recommendation of her candidacy for the Special Election for Hennepin County Commissioner. Simonetti has not sought recommendation for the General Election for Hennepin County Commissioner District 6 position."

In posts on social media, Simonetti has characterized the alleged victim of the assault as a "squatter" and has leaned in to the accusations, running contests for followers to guess how much the tarantula cost from PetSmart.