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Friends and Neighbors,
Like many of you, I am heartbroken by the devastating and senseless violence that shook our state over the weekend.
Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, were murdered in a targeted political assassination by a violent criminal who posed as a police officer. Senator John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, were also victims of attempted murder. They were both shot multiple times and are now facing a long and difficult road to recovery.
As new details have emerged, we’ve also learned that other colleagues, including Representative Kristin Bahner and Senator Ann Rest, were also targeted in the attack. I am very thankful they are both unharmed. It is horrifying to realize how much worse this tragedy could have been for Minnesota.
Melissa was a tireless advocate for the polices she championed and for the Legislature. She devoted twenty years of her life and countless hours every session to ensure that the Legislature worked for the people of Minnesota. She was funny, approachable and not ego-driven. I know she deeply loved her family and was so proud of her children. My heart is broken for them and for the entire Hortman family.
The tribute they released this week to honor their parents was both heartbreaking and beautiful; a powerful reminder of the legacy Speaker Hortman and Mark leave behind. Please continue to pray for the Hortman children as they grieve the unimaginable loss of their parents and learn to navigate life without them.
There will be a candlelight vigil held at the State Capitol in honor of Speaker Hortman and her husband Mark from 8:00-9:30 PM tomorrow, Wednesday, June 18. See the flyer for more details.
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If you come, please respect the direction of the Sergeant-At-Arms Office – do not bring signs. This is not a political rally. This is a time to come together and honor Melissa and Mark and give comfort to their families and each other. Thank you!
Please also continue to pray for the Hoffman family. Yvette’s coworkers at Fernbrook Elementary have set up a GoFundMe page to help with their medical expenses as they begin the long process of healing. If you are able, please consider donating.
I also want to express my deep gratitude to the Maple Grove Police Department and all the law enforcement professionals who acted swiftly to bring this criminal to justice. The outpouring of support from our public safety community has been nothing short of remarkable.
We do not want this heinous crime to deter trust in our amazing local police. If you ever feel uncertain about the identity of an officer, please call 911 to verify. The Maple Grove Police Department has shared guidance on how to identify their personnel to help keep our communities safe and informed.
This was an evil, calculated crime. Political violence has no place in a civilized society and we must all stand against it. As we process this loss together, I pray God will pour out His strength, comfort and peace on the Hortman and Hoffman families, on my fellow Legislators and our staff, and on our state.
Thank you to everyone who has reached out with messages of support for my colleagues and me. It means more than you will ever know.
Sincerely,
Kristin
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239 State Office Building
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
Saint Paul, MN 55155
ph: 651.296.7806 |
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