local
Political candidate who tossed tarantula at tenant sentenced to 90 days in workhouse, 2 years probation
By Ryan Pattee at KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC)
· July 2, 2026
· 2 min read
Marisa Simonetti, a political candidate currently running for the U.S. Senate, who tossed a tarantula toward a tenant, was sentenced on Tuesday.
Court documents show Simonetti was sentenced to 90 days in the Hennepin County Workhouse, but is eligible for work release as soon as she begins serv...
Key takeaway Court documents show Simonetti was sentenced to 90 days in the Hennepin County Workhouse, but is eligible for work release as soon as she begins serving time.
Why this matters in The Minneapolis
The sentencing of Marisa Simonetti to 90 days in the Hennepin County Workhouse and two years of supervised probation brings a measure of closure to a disturbing incident that has raised questions about the candidate's fitness for public office. As Simonetti continues her campaign for the U.S. Senate as an independent, voters in the Twin Cities area will be watching to see how this sentence affects her candidacy. The fact that she lost her previous endorsement from the Third Congressional District Republicans and went on to lose the election for Hennepin County Commissioner suggests that her actions have already had significant consequences. Now, as she seeks higher office, the community will be looking for signs of accountability and a commitment to serving the public interest, rather than personal agendas. The conditions of her probation, including a letter of apology to the victim, are a step in that direction, but only time will tell if Simonetti can rebuild trust with the voters.
About this story
Original reporting by KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC) . The Minneapolis surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 2, 2026 ·
Source: KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC) ·
Reading time: 2 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Marisa Simonetti, a political candidate currently running for the U.S. Senate, who tossed a tarantula toward a tenant, was sentenced on Tuesday.
Court documents show Simonetti was sentenced to 90 days in the Hennepin County Workhouse, but is eligible for work release as soon as she begins serv...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 2, 2026 by KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC) and curated for The Minneapolis readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Ryan Pattee at KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC). To learn more about how The Minneapolis selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Minneapolis, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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