MINNEAPOLIS — Discussions about the political divide in America are frequent, and for Minnesota House member Melissa Hortman, this was a reality she faced every day. Serving as the leading Democrat in the House, Hortman dealt with the distinctive challenge of upholding liberal agendas in a legislature split evenly between Democrats and Republicans at 67-67. Her efforts aimed to ensure that this division didn’t hinder state government funding.
In a tragic turn of events early Saturday, Hortman and her husband were shot and killed in their Minneapolis-area residence, an act authorities describe as political violence. Another local lawmaker, State Sen. John Hoffman, and his wife were also shot and injured about 15 minutes away from the Hortman home.
Hortman, who held the House speaker position for six years, found her party losing its narrow majority in the 2024 elections. In response, she led a near month-long boycott of House sessions, commencing mid-January, to prevent Republicans from gaining strong control by exploiting a temporary absence from a Democratic seat. This move compelled Republicans to share legislative power.
A notable aspect of her leadership was her determination to safeguard healthcare coverage for adult immigrants living in the U.S. illegally. This was a progressive policy approved while she served as speaker in 2023. However, when negotiations led to a budget deal necessitating cuts to this coverage, she cast the sole Democratic vote in favor, ensuring the continuation of state funding for two subsequent years.
“Though fierce in battle, our personal relationship was unaffected; this Loss is heartbreaking,” said GOP House Speaker Lisa Demuth. The tragedy unites the usually sharply divided legislature in mourning.
The events have left Minnesotans, who take pride in their “Minnesota nice” political culture, in shock despite rising partisan discord. From an outsider’s perspective, Minnesota appears a Democratic stronghold—having not backed a Republican presidential candidate since 1972, and with all statewide officeholders being Democrats. Nevertheless, the state legislature is closely divided, with Democrats holding a narrow 34-33 majority in the Senate.
In 2023 and 2024, Democrats leveraged their minimal majorities to implement far-reaching liberal reforms. Hortman was instrumental in advocating for issues like broadening abortion rights, paid family leave, free school lunches, and various family support measures. Yet, the grief for Hortman, Hoffman, and their families transcends partisan lines.
John Hoffman, aged 60, chairs the Senate Human Services Committee, responsible for supervising a significant portion of the state budget. Residing in Champlin, a Minneapolis suburb, Hoffman manages a consultancy and has a family with his wife, Yvette, and their daughter. His career background includes roles in nonprofit organizations supporting those with mental and developmental disabilities and overseeing a juvenile detention facility in Iowa. Elected to the Senate in 2012, Hoffman backed legislation in 2023 to extend MinnesotaCare health program coverage to undocumented immigrants starting this year. However, he voted against a recent GOP-driven bill to end that coverage.
Last year, Hoffman’s legislative efforts included a bill protecting the rights of disabled individuals to adopt children. He also proposed a constitutional amendment in 2023 to establish a fund for long-term care by taxing the Social Security benefits of Minnesota’s wealthiest residents.
Hortman, a lawyer, led the House Democrats since 2017 and served as speaker from 2019. Under a power-sharing agreement, she assumed the title of speaker emerita. With her husband Mark, Hortman resided in Brooklyn Park, northwest of Minneapolis, and they had two grown children. U.S. Sen. and Minnesota Democrat Amy Klobuchar cherished memories of canvassing alongside Hortman in 2004, championing initiatives related to free school lunches, women’s rights, and renewable energy. Klobuchar described her as “a true public servant.”
Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon, who shared her alma mater at the University of Minnesota’s law school, admired Hortman for her intelligence, strategy, humor, bravery, and determination.
Hortman’s legislative journey began in 2007. She became minority leader in 2017, leading Democrats to regain the House majority in 2019. Her proposals included California-inspired emission standards and measures to eliminate mercury-containing product sales. She also supported studies on divesting state investments from fossil fuel companies. Acknowledging her impact, GOP House Speaker Demuth recognized Hortman as an expert on energy policy.
“She was more than a leader; she was an exceptional legislator, and her loss will be felt deeply by all Minnesotans,” stated Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin, who is also a former Minnesota state party chair and a close acquaintance of Hortman.