Sen. Zipperer Confirms he was Threatened Through E-mail

As other Republican senators in Wisconsin have reported receiving death threats, state Sen. Rich Zipperer, R-Pewaukee, who represents the majority of Waukesha, confirmed he received similar e-mails.

“There was one very specific threat,” Zipperer said Thursday afternoon. “… I know law enforcement is specifically investigating that.”

Zipperer’s e-mail accounts have been flooded with support and criticism. The threat was in the midst of those e-mails, he said.

The efforts to intimidate Zipperer aren’t working, he said.

“I think in our democratic society there is no room for that,” the senator said.

Zipperer said he was elected to do his job, which is what he did Wednesday night when voting for a bill that would strip public employees of most collective bargaining rights.

“Thankfully” the senators were able to safely leave the Capitol building last night and continue to do their work, he said. Zipperer’s office in Madison remains open and it is important to not be intimidated by the threats of harm.

“You can’t allow attempts at intimidation from doing the job you are there to do,” Zipperer said. “I have confidence law enforcement is handling the concerns.”