Campaign

Iowa GOP rep doubts female candidate received death threats

by Rebecca Savransky - 06/04/17 1:59 PM ET

Rep. Steve King (R-Iowa) on Sunday expressed doubt that Kim Weaver, a former Iowa congressional candidate, received death threats during her campaign.

“I wanted #KimWeaver IN the race-not out,” King tweeted.

“Democrats drove her out of the race-not R’s. Death threats likely didn’t happen but a fabrication.”

I wanted #KimWeaver IN the race-not out. Democrats drove her out of the race-not R’s. Death threats likely didn’t happen but a fabrication.

— Steve King (@SteveKingIA) June 4, 2017

{mosads}Weaver announced on Sunday that she was withdrawing her candidacy for Iowa’s 4th Congressional District.

“Beginning during my 2016 campaign, I have received very alarming acts of intimidation, including death threats,” Weaver said in a Facebook post.

“While some may say enduring threats are just a part of running for office, my personal safety has increasingly become a concern.”

Weaver, a Democrat, told The Des Moines Register she began to receive intimidating phone calls following the publication of a story about her attempts to build a career as an internet psychic.

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In the Facebook post Saturday, Weaver, who lost to King in the 2016 race, said even though she is ending her bid, she still “passionately” supports King’s defeat.

“We’ve started a significant movement in this district, and it’s important to see that progress continue,” she said in the post.

“I’ve said from the beginning that this isn’t about me — it’s about unseating Steve King and gaining real representation for the 4th District of Iowa.”