Dear Friends and Neighbors,
Like many of you, I have been heartbroken over the tragedy that has shaken our state and our Capitol community. The senseless violence that took the lives of Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, has left us stunned and grieving. Senator John Hoffman and his wife were also wounded in the attack. We are thankful they survived, and we continue to pray for their strength and full recovery.
As someone who has served in the Minnesota House during Speaker Hortman’s time in leadership, I want to take a moment to honor her service. While we came from very different political perspectives, Speaker Hortman was a strong, decisive leader who cared deeply about the institution and its members and staff. She was someone who worked tirelessly for her constituents and remained engaged in the hard work of policymaking. She was savvy on nearly every issue, and always knew how to keep the chamber moving, whether through humor after a tense debate, or by listening to members and understanding their motives. She is truly one of the most impactful legislators in state history, and the body will feel her loss for a long time.
This act of targeted violence is not just an attack on individuals; it is an attack on civil society and the values we hold dear in a free republic. At a time when political differences often lead to division, we are reminded that at the end of the day, we are all Minnesotans. We are husbands and wives, mothers and fathers, friends and neighbors, who believe in service and community. That shared humanity is what will carry us forward.
I ask that you keep the Hortman and Hoffman families in your prayers. This is a time for unity, compassion, and reflection, not just at the Capitol, but across our state.
Sincerely,
Jeff