Marisa Simonetti is a Minnesota real estate businesswoman and independent U.S. Senate candidate who was convicted in March 2026 of harassing an Airbnb tenant by throwing a live tarantula and other objects down the staircase of her Edina home.1KSTP. Political Candidate Who Tossed Tarantula at Airbnb Tenant Found Guilty at Trial A Hennepin County jury found her guilty of gross misdemeanor harassment, misdemeanor domestic assault, and misdemeanor disorderly conduct. At the time of the verdict, she was running for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by retiring Senator Tina Smith.2FEC. Candidate: Simonetti, Marisa
What Happened at the Airbnb
Simonetti rented a basement unit in her Edina home through Airbnb. Her tenant in June 2024, Jacklyn Vasquez, was studying for the bar exam during her stay.1KSTP. Political Candidate Who Tossed Tarantula at Airbnb Tenant Found Guilty at Trial The relationship soured after Vasquez suggested hiring pest control to address large spiders in the basement. Prosecutors said Simonetti took offense, and the dispute escalated over two days.3CBS News Minnesota. Minnesota Woman Assault Conviction Tarantula U.S. Senate
On June 20, 2024, Vasquez called police after Simonetti intercepted a grocery delivery and refused to hand it over. The next morning, according to the criminal complaint, Simonetti banged pots and pans and shut off the home’s internet in an effort to disrupt the tenant’s studying.1KSTP. Political Candidate Who Tossed Tarantula at Airbnb Tenant Found Guilty at Trial
Later that day, Simonetti and a political acquaintance, Michael Held, dismantled the door to the basement unit. Vasquez retreated to her bedroom and left her laptop recording on the staircase. The video captured Simonetti throwing a live tarantula from a container down the stairs, spraying an unidentified substance into the stairwell, and hurling tacks, nails, toys, and what appeared to be the contents of a terrarium. The audio captured her yelling about Jesus, mentioning “the tarantula that I just bought,” and saying, “This is why you never f*** with Marisa Simonetti.”1KSTP. Political Candidate Who Tossed Tarantula at Airbnb Tenant Found Guilty at Trial Responding officers found pins, tacks, nails, and a live tarantula scattered on the stairs, along with a foul odor.3CBS News Minnesota. Minnesota Woman Assault Conviction Tarantula U.S. Senate
Both were arrested that day. Held, 69, of St. Louis Park, was charged with misdemeanor assault. Simonetti later said Held was merely a political acquaintance who had helped put out campaign signs and “randomly stopped at the house that day.”4EP Local News. Along Came a Spider, Among Other Things, and Frightened a Tenant Away The New York Post reported she later said she had been inspired by the 1990 film “Home Alone.”5New York Post. U.S. Senate Candidate Convicted of Tossing Tarantula Into Airbnb
The Trial and Verdict
The case went to trial in Hennepin County District Court in March 2026, nearly two years after the arrest. Simonetti fired her attorney a few weeks beforehand and represented herself.6Law & Crime. Tarantula-Tossing Political Candidate Convicted After Representing Herself During Assault Trial
Over three days, she argued that prosecutors had failed to prove criminal intent beyond a reasonable doubt and that the case rested almost entirely on Vasquez’s testimony. She did not testify. In closing, she conceded, “One thing I will concede is these actions appear quite outrageous. I’m quite embarrassed, and the situation certainly appears to have been mishandled.” Outside the jury’s presence, she accused prosecutors of using “word games” during jury instructions. Judge Jennifer Olson rejected the objection, saying the statutes had not changed and the instructions accurately reflected the law.7EP Local News. Jury Convicts Simonetti in Edina Tarantula Dispute
On March 13, 2026, a six-member jury found her guilty on all three counts: gross misdemeanor harassment involving reasonable fear of substantial bodily harm, misdemeanor domestic assault, and misdemeanor disorderly conduct.7EP Local News. Jury Convicts Simonetti in Edina Tarantula Dispute Afterward, Simonetti blamed the outcome on her decision to go pro se, telling reporters, “I was just outplayed.”6Law & Crime. Tarantula-Tossing Political Candidate Convicted After Representing Herself During Assault Trial Judge Olson ordered a pre-sentence investigation and set sentencing for May 1, 2026.
Her $28 Million Countersuit
Separately, Simonetti filed a $28 million civil lawsuit of her own against Vasquez, the local police department, and the prosecutors in her criminal case, alleging constitutional violations.6Law & Crime. Tarantula-Tossing Political Candidate Convicted After Representing Herself During Assault Trial
Fallout With the Republican Party
Simonetti first ran for office in 2024, seeking the Hennepin County Board of Commissioners District 6 seat as a conservative. She had received a recommendation from the Third Congressional District Republicans ahead of that race, which she lost.8Minnesota Secretary of State. Hennepin County Commissioner District 6 Special Election Results The arrest ended that relationship. On June 28, 2024, district chair Randy Sutter said the party was rescinding its recommendation, stating, “Simonetti does not reflect our values. In her representation of herself as a Republican, she has only served to embarrass the Republican Party.”9Star Tribune. Republican Officials Distancing Party From Hennepin County Board Candidate Simonetti The party said it would not endorse her for any elected office in the district.10KSTP. Republicans Withdraw Endorsement for Marisa Simonetti Following Domestic Assault Arrest
Simonetti responded on social media, accusing the local GOP of being “not interested in winning candidates who have the kahunas to create real change” and of “grifting and wasting time, as evidenced by their impotent track record.”10KSTP. Republicans Withdraw Endorsement for Marisa Simonetti Following Domestic Assault Arrest
Her Independent U.S. Senate Campaign
In early 2025, Simonetti announced a campaign for the open U.S. Senate seat Tina Smith is vacating. She filed her Statement of Candidacy with the Federal Election Commission on April 28, 2025, registering as a non-party (independent) candidate.2FEC. Candidate: Simonetti, Marisa She framed the shift as a break with Republican leadership rather than with Donald Trump, saying, “It’s not about Trump.”11EP Local News. Simonetti Launches U.S. Senate Bid as Legal Case Lingers
Her campaign website describes a platform centered on “making the system more fair,” with positions spanning economic issues, education, energy, healthcare, and national security. She has called for championing small businesses, protecting small and mid-sized farms, expanding affordable housing near transit, and investing in solar, wind, and geothermal energy. On healthcare, she has advocated for greater affordability and access to mental health services, addiction treatment, and reproductive care. Her national security language is broad: “National security means protecting people — not just borders,” with emphasis on diplomacy, disaster preparedness, and cybersecurity.12MarisaSimonetti.com. Marisa Simonetti for U.S. Senate In interviews, she described the campaign as one of “hope, peace, and authentic connection.”11EP Local News. Simonetti Launches U.S. Senate Bid as Legal Case Lingers
As of mid-2026, FEC records show no financial activity for her campaign. No funds raised, spent, or on hand.2FEC. Candidate: Simonetti, Marisa The seat has drawn a crowded field, with Republicans including Royce White, Adam Schwarze, Tom Weiler, Alycia Gruenhagen, Raymond Petersen, and Mike Ruoho,13MPR News. Minnesota U.S. Senate Race Heats Up and a DFL primary between Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan and U.S. Rep. Angie Craig set for August 11, 2026.14Star Tribune. Amy Klobuchar Endorsement Senate Election Smith Seat Craig Flanagan Primary Running without a party and without reported funds, Simonetti sits on the far margins of that race.