Minnesota rocked by political violence as top Democrat Melissa Hortman killed, US Sen. John Hoffman wounded

Melissa Hortman, 54, served in the Minnesota House of Representatives for nearly two decades and held the role of House speaker from 2019 to 2025

In an unprecedented act of political violence, Minnesota lawmakers State Representative Melissa Hortman and US State Senator John A. Hoffman were shot on Saturday morning in separate but targeted attacks. Hortman, a key Democratic figure and the former speaker of the Minnesota House, was killed at her home in Brooklyn Park. Her husband, Mark, was also fatally shot, the New York Times reported.

Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, were critically injured in a separate attack at their home in Champlin, just north of Minneapolis. Both underwent surgery, and Governor Tim Walz said on Saturday that he was "cautiously optimistic" about their recovery.

The shootings have sent shockwaves through the state’s political establishment and reignited concerns over the growing threats faced by public officials.

Melissa Hortman: trailblazing speaker and pragmatic lawmaker

Melissa Hortman, 54, served in the Minnesota House of Representatives for nearly two decades and held the role of House speaker from 2019 to 2025. A lawyer by training, she was widely known for her sharp negotiating skills and her ability to build coalitions around ambitious legislation.

In 2023, during a tightly contested session, Hortman led efforts to expand abortion rights, legalize recreational marijuana, and mandate paid family and medical leave. Despite political gridlock, she remained a pragmatic leader focused on policy over partisanship.

“She had a vision of what she wanted the state to be like,” said her campaign manager Jerry Gale, who described her as tireless, civil, and focused on bringing new Democratic candidates into public service. “She wasn’t combative, even when the rhetoric around her got heated.”

Hortman had expressed concern about her safety in recent years, Gale added, as Minnesota’s political climate became increasingly hostile. She is survived by two children.

Sen. John Hoffman and wife wounded in separate attack

John Hoffman, a fourth-term Democrat in the State Senate, was seriously injured alongside his wife in what state authorities have described as an “assassination attempt.” Hoffman, 60, has represented the northern suburbs of Minneapolis since 2013 and is known for bipartisan cooperation, especially in his role as chair of the Senate’s Human Services Committee.

Born in Wyoming, Hoffman built his early career in marketing and public relations and later served on the Anoka-Hennepin School Board. He has championed legislation to improve employment opportunities for people with disabilities and has emphasized fiscal responsibility throughout his legislative career.

In a statement last year to his constituents, Hoffman wrote: “The path to progress involves considering input from all perspectives, regardless of which party holds the majority.” His campaign website reflects a collaborative and inclusive approach to governance.

Security concerns intensify amid rising political threats

Authorities have not released further details about the suspects or motives, but both incidents are being treated as politically motivated assassination attempts. The attacks come at a time of heightened tension across the country, with increasing threats reported against public officials at all levels of government.

Governor Walz called for unity and resolve in the aftermath of the violence. “We must not let fear define us,” he said.

As the state mourns the death of one of its most influential lawmakers and prays for the recovery of another, questions loom about the safety of those who serve in public office—and what must change to protect them.