Senator Jeff Howe Reflects on Deadly Attacks Targeting Colleagues, Calls for Civility in Politics

(KNSI) – A central Minnesota senator is recalling the moment he learned about a deadly attack that targeted multiple legislative colleagues over the weekend.

In a coordinated assault early Saturday morning, a gunman impersonating a police officer attacked two separate legislative families within hours. Senator John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, survived an attack at their Champlin home and were hospitalized. Speaker Emeritus Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark were killed in Brooklyn Park, located about five miles away.

When officers arrived to check on the Hortmans, they encountered the suspect, Vance Boelter, dressed as a police officer and saw what appeared to be a squad car. A shootout ensued, Boelter rushed inside and killed the Hortmans, and then fled. After what officials called the largest manhunt in state history, Boelter was arrested Sunday evening in Sibley County near his Green Isle home.

Senator Jeff Howe of Rockville described being woken at 5:00 a.m. Saturday, by his wife, because a Stearns County Sheriff’s Deputy was at their door. That’s when the reality of the attacks hit him personally. “What clicked in my head is, I did the same thing I’m sure they did. I saw a squad, opened the door, and stepped out. Unbelievable, that’s what sent the shivers down my spine.”

He discovered he had missed a call from Speaker Lisa Demuth of Cold Spring earlier in the morning to inform him of what happened.

Howe worked across the aisle from Rep. Hortman and Senator Hoffman for six years or more, and although they had different views politically, he had nothing but respect for them. “I don’t ever remember having a cross word with either of those individuals. They were just good people.”

He remembered having a Zoom call with the governor, discussing some legislation, when Rep. Hortman stuck up for him. “The governor came after me, and then at the time Speaker Hortman came to my defense and said, ‘Hey, governor, I think this senator is just trying to find common ground.'”

Howe believes the state needs to come together in the wake of this tragedy and is calling for civility in politics. “Whoever’s calling for violence and getting mean, it is wrong. We need to be civil to one another and entertain and maybe learn something from the other side once in a while.”

He hopes this ushers in an era where people can work together and talk to each other instead of at each other.

Boelter was charged on Monday in federal and state court with murder and attempted murder.

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