Melissa Hortman, the top Democrat in the Minnesota House, was killed along with her husband, Mark, in their Brooklyn Park home early Saturday in what Gov. Tim Walz called a “politically motivated shooting.”
Her death stunned Democrats.
“She was a bright shining light of a human being,” said Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon. “Minnesotans lost a really important and impactful leader.”
Hortman, 55, served as Speaker of the Minnesota House from 2019 through 2025. Over the last six months, Hortman stepped aside and agreed to serve as speaker emerita after Democrats lost the House majority in November. She helped negotiate a budget deal with Walz and Republican Speaker of the House Lisa Demuth that was passed earlier this week.
During her two decades in elected office, Hortman positioned herself as a consensus builder who was willing to work with both political parties. But she was also responsible for ushering in key Democratic initiatives including abortion rights, universal lunch for students and gun restrictions.
Hortman grew up in Fridley and graduated from Blaine High School in 1988. She graduated from Boston University and worked in the 1990s as a political staffer for U.S. Sens. John Kerry and Al Gore.
Hortman failed in her first two attempts at political office, losing legislative races in 1998 and 2002. In 2004, she finally found electoral success by defeating a Republican incumbent. In 2006, Republicans were optimistic that they could win back the seat. She easily won reelection and won her legislative district for 11 consecutive elections.
Hortman and her husband, Mark, are survived by two children
