Dignity, humility, warmth

Last summer, Melissa Hortman, then Speaker of the Minnesota House of Representatives, drove over 70 miles south from Brooklyn Park to Owatonna, to help fundraise for two relative newcomers to politics, both long shot candidates for office.

She attended a fundraiser at Mineral Springs Brewery for Edel Fernandez, candidate for the open House District 19B seat, and Rachael Bohman, who was running in the Congressional District 1 seat held by just two Democrats since the 1980s: Tim Penny, and Gov. Tim Walz.

Hortman immediately left an impact on Steele County DFL Chair Phil Heim.

“That was the first time I met Melissa in person, and she impressed me with humility and (warmth),” he sent in a text message Sunday night, just moments after the man who allegedly murdered Hortman and her husband, Mark, was arrested in rural Sibley County.

In the early morning hours on Saturday, June 14, Vance Luther Boelter, 57 also allegedly shot state Sen. John Hoffman, a Democrat, and his wife, Yvette, in their home in Champlin.

The Hoffmans survived after many surgeries, and Yvette Hoffman, from her hospital bed, snapped a photo of a local news broadcast following  Boelter’s arrest.

Authorities said Boelter also left behind a list of names including other Democrats.

While local and federal law enforcement agencies will try to answer many questions over the coming weeks and months, one thing is clear: Melissa Hortman had plenty of respect no matter what her party affiliation.

“Rep. Hortman served Minnesota with dignity and dedication for many years,” state Rep. Tom Sexton wrote on Facebook. “There was never a doubt that she truly loved our great state.”

‘Fair and principled’

State Rep. Peggy Bennett, a Republican lawmaker who represents parts of Steele County, and Hortman were on the opposite sides of the political spectrum.

But following the tragedy, Bennett made clear her respect for the House District 34B lawmaker.

“I worked with Representative Melissa Hortman for 11 years in the Minnesota House of Representatives. During that time, she served as a leader in her caucus, Speaker of the House, and now Speaker Emerita. I am absolutely heartbroken at her loss through this tragic and heinous attack, along with her husband, Mark. Melissa Hortman was a strong woman with a sharp intellect and witty sense of humor. Although I often disagreed with her on policy, I respected her greatly as a fair, principled, and honorable legislator. She stuck to her word. These honorable qualities she exhibited are an example for all leaders in our state and something I seek to emulate in my own life.

“My prayers and deepest sympathies are with the Hortman family, and I am also praying for the full recovery of Senator Hoffman and his wife Yvette. I'm extremely grateful for law-enforcement at all levels in our state and am happy that they were able to safely apprehend the suspect. May justice be served.”

State Sen. John Jasinski  in a statement Saturday said he was “disturbed and saddened by the shootings of Speaker Emerita Hortman, Senator Hoffman, and their families this morning.”

“In my years in the Senate, I have known them both to be great colleagues, dedicated public servants, and wonderful people. I will continue praying for them, as we all are,” he  wrote.

State Rep. Patty Mueller, a Republican, who represents parts of Steele County, said elected officials are more than just a party affiliation.

“Elected officials are so much more than the letters next to their names,” she  wrote on X, the social media site formerly known as Twitter. “Many of us, like Rep. Hortman and Senator Hoffman, are married and have children. All of us have families and friends. No matter how much we differ, political disagreements never justify violence.”

Heightened security

Following the shootings on Saturday, a top priority for local law enforcement was to make sure other elected officials were safe.

“I’m grateful for the local law enforcement officers who reached out this morning to make sure my family and I are safe, and so thankful for law enforcement around the state for their swift response and everything they do to protect our communities,” state Sen. Cara Nelson, a Republican lawmaker who represents Dodge County, Byron, and parts of Rochester, wrote in a statement.

Jasinski shared a similar statement Saturday.

“Thank you to the Faribault Police Department and Rice County Sheriff’s Department, who reached out early this morning to make sure my family and I are safe, and for offering all the assistance we need,” Jasinski wrote. “I also want to thank law enforcement around the state, the state patrol, and Capitol Security for their fast and professional response, and for everything they do to keep us safe.”

‘Cared deeply’

Heim said he had spoken to Hortman a couple of times over the years, when contacting her office.

“I think she cared deeply for people, especially for those who weren't born with the same opportunities  as others were born with,” Heim said.

House Speaker Lisa Demuth, a Republican, also spoke highly of Hortman.

"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 wrote. “She battled fiercely, but never let it impact the personal bond that we developed serving as caucus leaders.”

Hortman, during her final days on earth, spent hours and days negotiating the budget bills, in a tied House of Representatives.

In order to pass the State budget, it required a deal between the DFL and Republican leadership to deliver the needed votes, which included eliminating insurance for undocumented adults on MinnesotaCare insurance coverage.

“It took courage as a leader this past session to be the deciding vote to remove MinnesotaCare insurance coverage for ‘undocumented/illegal adult immigrants’ in order to avoid a government shutdown and get a budget passed,” Heim wrote.