A House Democrat was assaulted in an elevator at her Washington, D.C., apartment building Thursday morning, according to her office.
Rep. Angie Craig (D-MN) “defended herself from the attacker and suffered bruising, but is otherwise physically okay,” said her chief of staff Nick Coe in a statement.
The congresswoman’s office said Craig called 911 and the assailant fled the scene. “There is no evidence that the incident was politically motivated,” the statement added.
The statement said Craig thanked the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department for their quick response and noted the congresswoman “asks for privacy at this time.”
Statement by Rep. Angie Craig's Chief of Staff: pic.twitter.com/YHXKJkuK42
— Angie Craig (@RepAngieCraig) February 9, 2023
A police report describes the incident as a “simple assault” and says there is no suspected hate crime.
Craig reported seeing the suspect in the lobby area of her apartment building “acting erratic” as if he was under the influence of an unknown substance, the report says.
Craig told police that after she told the suspect “good morning,” the suspect followed her into the elevator “and began to randomly do push ups.” Craig told police the suspect then, “with a closed fist,” punched her on the chin area of her face, and later grabbed her neck.
Police said Craig “defended herself by tossing her hot coffee” at the suspect. The report said the suspect escaped before officers arrived. Officers canvassed the basement level parking lot with negative results, the report added.
The Metropolitan Police Department told the Daily Wire the case remains under active investigation.
Hours after the alleged assault, Craig was back at work. She voted with fellow Democrats and Republicans to overwhelmingly pass a resolution to formally rebuke China over a suspected spy balloon that flew over the United States last week.
After losing a congressional bid in 2016, Craig was first elected to represent Minnesota’s Second Congressional District in 2018.
Craig is married to her wife, Cheryl Greene, and they have four sons together, according to the congresswoman’s website.
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