Woman accused of stalking congressman because of health care vote

WEAKLEY COUNTY, TN (WMC) - A woman found herself behind bars after she followed a congressman from an agricultural meeting, according to Weakley County Sheriff's Department.

Wendi L. Wright, 35, faces charges of felony reckless endangerment after investigators said she trailed Congressman David Kustoff and his aide, Marianne Dunavant, down Highway 45 in Weakley County on May 8.

"What she was saying was more cursing at the congressman and his aides," Sgt. Marty Plunk said. "But, I think the basis of all of it was a health care vote that he had cast that she was upset with."

Recently, Kustoff voted to repeal Obamacare and replace it.

"It's almost not worth it, having insurance," Kustoff told WMC Action News 5 last year. "It's catastrophic."

Kustoff and his aide were leaving the meeting at University of Tennessee at Martin. Investigators said Wright's actions made Kustoff and his aide believe they were going to be forced off the road.

When the Congressman's car stopped, Wright got out of her car screaming. She also started hitting the windows of the Congressman's car, according to investigators.

"A protest is one thing," Plunk said. "She went a little further than that. You know she went to extreme levels of putting them in fear of their own safety."

By the time deputies arrived, the woman had left.

She later posted details of the encounter on Facebook. That's how Obion County deputies tracked her down and arrested her.

Wright was released on a $1,000 bond. Her first court appearance is scheduled for May 15.

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