In Unity, In Mourning, In Prayer: Honoring Melissa and Mark Hortman, and Lifting Up the Hoffmans
 Dear Friends,
There are no words that can fully express the heartbreak I feel over the recent act of violence that has so deeply impacted the families of Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, and Senator John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette. This tragedy has shaken all of us who serve the people of Minnesota — not just as colleagues, but as a close-knit family.
As we continue to grieve, I ask all Minnesotans to lift these families in prayer. In the Legislature, we may stand on opposite sides of issues, but moments like this remind us that our shared humanity and commitment to public service run far deeper than any political divide.
This past weekend was Father’s Day — a time that should be marked by love, family, and gratitude. I was blessed to spend it with my children and grandchildren, a joy I’ll never take for granted. But even as we laughed and shared stories, my thoughts kept returning to those who won’t have that chance again. The children who have lost a parent. The spouses left behind. It’s a reminder of how fragile life is — and how precious the people in it are.
An attack on one of us is truly an attack on all of us — on the very spirit of democracy, service, and the freedoms we hold dear. I’m profoundly grateful to the law enforcement officers and vigilant community members who acted swiftly. Their courage helped bring an end to this nightmare and ensured that justice could begin.
Let’s move forward not with bitterness, but with renewed purpose — to love more deeply, serve more faithfully, and treat one another with the dignity and respect we all deserve.
May God comfort those who are grieving, heal those who are recovering, and guide our state through this difficult time with compassion and grace.
With a heavy heart,
Representative Steve Gander
Minnesota House of Representatives, District 1B
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