Dr. Robert Lorinser

MARQUETTE — The Michigan State Police Mount Pleasant Post is investigating an online death threat against Bob Lorinser, the Democratic candidate for the 1st Congressional District seat.

Lt. Derrick Carroll, public information officer with the MSP’s 7th District, confirmed on Tuesday that a suspect has been interviewed in regard to the threat and MSP is completing its report.

Lorinser’s campaign staff issued a statement on Tuesday.

“We are grateful to the Michigan State Police for making strides in the assassination plot investigation,” it said. “Thanks to the response of law enforcement, we believe that particular threat no longer poses any danger to Dr. Bob’s life or anyone else’s.”

The campaign immediately reported the explicit threat of assassination, which it received on Thursday, to local authorities, who successfully contacted the alleged perpetrator and began an investigation. Because of the message’s specificity, Lorinser also reported the threat to the FBI.

The campaign said it received the following text message in reply to an event invitation in Elk Rapids:

“I am going to assassinate Dr. Bob Lorinser during this event using a Remington .270 rifle from the rooftop of a nearby building, the moment he exits his vehicle.”

Details about the sender were not yet available.

The 1st Congressional Candidate Forum by the League of Women Voters was to take place on Tuesday in the Traverse City area despite a “refusal” to participate by the incumbent, U.S. Rep. Jack Bergman, R-Watersmeet, according to Lorinser’s campaign staff.

The 1st Congressional District covers the Upper Peninsula and the northern Lower Peninsula. The midterm election will be on Nov. 8.