Local Lawmakers React to Assassination of Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman, and Shooting of Senator John Hoffman and Wife, Yvette

Originally published June 14th, 2025 12:09 p.m.

Updated June 14th, 2025 2:25 p.m.

(KNSI) – Local lawmakers are reacting to the news about the assassination of Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark and the attempted assassination of Senator John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette.

Representative Dan Wolgamott (D-St. Cloud) on his Facebook page says he and his family are safe and the St. Cloud Police Department were stationed outside his home. He also said he was heartbroken over the tragedy. He later issued a statement, saying, “I am numb with shock and sick with grief at the assassination of my friend and mentor, Melissa Hortman, and her husband Mark. Melissa taught me so much about making laws, serving constituents, and how to be a true public servant. I will miss her and Mark so much. We will honor her memory by refusing to be intimidated by political terrorism, and continue working our asses off to improve the lives of Minnesotans. My family and I are grateful to the SCPD and the officers who are ensuring our safety.”

Sentator Jeff Howe (R-Rockville) also took to social media to ask that the public “please keep Senator Hoffman, his wife, and Representative Hortman’s families in their thoughts and prayers. Please respect their privacy as they deal with this tragedy” by also adding “Thank you to the law enforcement community for their response and protection.”

House Speaker Lisa Demuth (R-Cold Spring) released the following statement:

“I am devastated by the loss of Speaker-Emerita Melissa Hortman. She was respected by everyone at the Capitol as a formidable advocate for her values and her caucus. She battled fiercely, but never let it impact the personal bond that we developed serving as caucus leaders.

Few legislators have had as large an impact on the State of Minnesota, and she was a nationally-recognized leader in energy policy. She has had a profound impact on this institution and on my own leadership.

We worked together for the last several years to build a strong relationship based on our shared values and our commitment to making our state better. I am beyond heartbroken by her loss, and her family and friends will remain in my prayers.

My prayers are also with Senator John Hoffman and his wife Yvette as they recover from this horrific attack.

I condemn in the strongest possible way the violence that took Melissa and Mark from us, and I call on every Minnesotan to reject it. Political violence is abhorrent and unacceptable, and my prayers are with the men and women in law enforcement who are working to stop this evil and bring the perpetrator to justice.”

Senator Aric Putnam (D-St. Cloud) posted a video on his Facebook account calling today a “difficult day” and, holding back tears, that the Speaker Emerita, her husband, and Sen. Hoffman and Yvette “should be home with their families, but they aren’t and we’re all here trying to make some sense out of all of this.” Putnam says he is glad to see people coming together in care, because that’s how you come together to deal with loss, but it’s also “how we come together to stand up for better.”

In a statement from State DFL Chair Richard Carlbom, he called Hortman, “a tireless, devoted public servant who deeply loved our state and devoted her life to making it a better place.” He called the killings, “an evil act of violence” that is “an attack on our democracy itself.” Carlbom added he is grateful Sentaor Hoffman and his wife are alive and wishes them a speedy recovery.

There were several No Kings Rallies set for today, including one in St. Cloud. St. Cloud Police Chief Jeff Oxton sent a statement saying, “In combination with State and Federal authorities and due to the targeted shootings of state lawmakers overnight, we are asking the public not to attend any planned demonstrations or rallys (sic) in St. Cloud today. This is out of an abundance of caution an in an effort to keep all of our citizens safe.”

Minnesota’s entire Congressional Delegation, including Congressman Tom Emmer (R-CD6) and Congresswoman Michelle Fishbach, (R-CD7) “Today we speak with one voice to express our outrage, grief, and condemnation of this horrible attack on public servants. There is no place in our democracy for politically-motivated violence. We are praying for John and Yvette’s recovery and we grieve the loss of Melissa and Mark with their family, colleagues, and Minnesotans across the state. We are grateful for law enforcement’s swift response to the situation and continued efforts.”

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