Wisconsin Assembly Rep. Sylvia Ortiz-Velez, D-Milwaukee, left the Wisconsin Democratic Caucus, after allegations that she threatened to shoot three of her Democratic colleagues began to circulate throughout the capitol, according to the Associated Press. 

In a Sept. 4 statement, Ortiz-Velez announced her departure from the caucus followed by a statement Sept. 6 from leaders in the democratic caucus remarking that Ortiz-Velez made a comment about shooting three fellow colleagues, according to the AP. 

Ortiz-Velez’s departure from the caucus comes after disputes with colleagues over the past few weeks, according to the Wisconsin Examiner. 

The Wisconsin Legislature’s human resources department barred Ortiz-Velez’s access to the state capitol building Sept. 3 — later restoring her access Sept. 4, according to PBS Wisconsin.

It is not typical for representatives to leave their caucus, but it is not extraordinarily rare, University of Wisconsin professor emeritus of political science and affiliate faculty to the Law School Howard Schweber said. 

“Leaving the caucus — it does a couple of things,” Schweber said. “First, it’s a kind of symbolic statement.” 

Ortiz-Velez’s withdrawal from the democratic caucus signals her end of cooperation with the democratic representatives in formulating strategy and coordinating action, Schweber said. 

But, leaving the democratic caucus does not mean Ortiz-Velez is leaving the democratic party, Schweber said. 

“It does not mean that she’s necessarily going to vote against whatever is the Democratic position on every single issue,” Schweber said. 

While in the democratic caucus, Ortiz-Velez on occasion voted on the other side of the aisle and most recently was scheduled to testify on AB306 — a Republican bill restricting emergency powers, according to the Wisconsin Examiner. 

Ortiz-Velez alleges that her colleagues in the democratic caucus discouraged her from testifying, as she planned to accuse Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley — planning to run for governor — of abusing his power during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the Wisconsin Examiner. 

This incident was more likely a personal matter than political, Schweber said. 

“Make no mistake, there’s a sacrifice involved here by leaving the caucus,” Schweber said. “Leaving any organization you cease to be part of that organization or whatever power it might have and you’re kind of on your own. So there’s a trade off. She’s bucking the discipline the party might try to impose on her, but in return, she’s no longer part of that in-group.”