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Melissa Hortman

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Melissa Hortman
Hortman in 2023
61st Speaker of the Minnesota House of Representatives
In office
January 8, 2019 – January 14, 2025
Preceded byKurt Daudt
Succeeded byLisa Demuth
DFL Caucus Leader of the Minnesota House of Representatives
In office
March 17, 2025 – June 14, 2025
Preceded byPosition established
Succeeded byVacant
Minority Leader of the Minnesota House of Representatives
In office
February 6, 2025 – March 17, 2025
Preceded byLisa Demuth
Succeeded byVacant
In office
January 3, 2017 – January 8, 2019
Preceded byPaul Thissen
Succeeded byKurt Daudt
Member of the Minnesota House of Representatives
In office
January 4, 2005 – June 14, 2025
Preceded byStephanie Olsen
Succeeded byVacant
Constituency
  • District 47B (2005–2013)
  • District 36B (2013–2023)
  • District 34B (2023–2025)
Personal details
Born
Melissa Anne Haluptzok

(1970-05-27)May 27, 1970
Fridley, Minnesota, U.S.
DiedJune 14, 2025(2025-06-14) (aged 55)
Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, U.S.
Manner of deathAssassination by gunshot
Political partyDemocratic (DFL)
SpouseMark Hortman
Children2
Education
Website

Melissa Anne Hortman (née Haluptzok; May 27, 1970 – June 14, 2025) was an American politician and lawyer who served from 2019 to 2025 as the 61st Speaker of the Minnesota House of Representatives. A member of the Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party, she represented northern parts of the Twin Cities metropolitan area in the Minnesota House of Representatives from 2005 until her assassination in 2025, serving from 2017 to 2019 as the House minority leader and from 2019 to 2025 as the 61st speaker. During her tenure, she advocated for transportation, environmental rights, abortion rights, police reform, and gun control policies, and was the chief author of the state's solar energy standard.

On June 14, 2025, Hortman and her husband were killed in their home in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota.

Early life and education

Hortman was born Melissa Anne Haluptzok in Fridley, Minnesota, on May 27, 1970.[1] She grew up in Spring Lake Park and Andover, and became interested in being a politician at age ten, while watching coverage of the 1980 presidential election.[2] She graduated from Blaine High School in Blaine, Minnesota, in 1988.[3]

Hortman received a Bachelor of Arts (magna cum laude) with a major in philosophy and political science from Boston University in 1991, a Juris Doctor (cum laude) from the University of Minnesota Law School in 1995, and a Master in Public Administration from Harvard Kennedy School in 2018.[4][5]

Early career

Hortman worked as an intern in the United States Senate for Al Gore and John Kerry, and clerked for Judge John Sommerville while in law school. She served on the Brooklyn Park City Human Relations Commission and worked as an assistant county attorney for Hennepin County.[4] She first gained public attention in 1997, as a lawyer on a case involving housing discrimination by landlords; she won a $490,181 civil award for her client, which was "then the largest such award in state history".[6]

Minnesota House of Representatives

Hortman on the House Floor surrounded by reporters
Hortman speaks to press after becoming Speaker of the House (January 2019)

Hortman was elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives in 2004, defeating Republican incumbent Stephanie Olsen, and was reelected every two years thereafter until her death. She first ran unsuccessfully in 1998, and again in 2002.[4]

Hortman served as an assistant majority leader from 2007 to 2010 and as minority whip from 2011 to 2012. From 2013 to 2014 she served as House speaker pro tempore and chaired the Energy Policy Committee. She served as deputy minority leader from 2015 to 2016. After Paul Thissen retired, Hortman was elected by her caucus to be minority leader from 2017 to 2018. When the DFL caucus retook the majority in the 2018 election, her colleagues elected her Speaker of the House.[4][7]

In her first term, Hortman was an outspoken advocate for the Northstar Commuter Rail line, which runs through her district. She also supported a new stadium for the Minnesota Twins. She was an advocate for environmental issues and the effort to bring the 2020 Summer Olympics to Minnesota. She was pro-choice,[8] supported gun control policies,[9] and opposed voter identification initiatives.[10] In 2008, Hortman managed the DFL floor operation during a successful attempt to override then-Governor Tim Pawlenty's veto of a gas tax increase.[11] While chair of the Energy Policy Committee, she was the chief author of the state's solar energy standard and community solar laws.[12][13]

Hortman served as the minority leader of the Minnesota House of Representatives from 2017 to 2019[4][14] and as the 61st Speaker of the Minnesota House of Representatives from 2019 to 2025.[15]

In April 2017, Hortman drew attention when she criticized several Republican representatives for playing a card game in the retiring room off the House chamber during discussions on a public safety budget bill. Specifically, she called attention to the fact that the game was occurring while two Democratic women from ethnic minorities were delivering personal speeches. Hortman continued to back her statement, while some Republicans called for her to resign.[2][16]

In July 2020, Hortman helped negotiate a police reform bill that "limits the use of neck restraints and chokeholds, prohibits departments from offering controversial warrior-style training, and creates an independent state unit to investigate when a police officer kills someone or is accused of sexual misconduct".[17]

From the start of the 94th Minnesota Legislature in January 2025 until early February, Hortman led a boycott of House sessions to deny Republicans a quorum to conduct business.[18] Republican Lisa Demuth was elected speaker on February 6.[19] After a power-sharing agreement was reached, Hortman served again as minority leader until March 17, when a special election created a tie between the parties in the House; her title then changed to "DFL Leader" and she was granted significant powers alongside Demuth.[20]

Personal life

Hortman was married to Mark Hortman, with whom she had two children. They lived in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota.[4] Hortman was Roman Catholic and taught Sunday school in Blaine.[21]

Assassination

Main article: 2025 shootings of Minnesota legislators

On June 14, 2025, Hortman, her husband, and their family dog were shot and killed at their home by a man impersonating a police officer.[22][23] Another lawmaker, John Hoffman, and his wife were shot earlier that night by the same man.[22] Minnesota governor Tim Walz said the shooting appeared to be a politically motivated assassination.[24][25]

The suspect in the shooting was identified as 57-year-old Vance Luther Boelter. He was arrested the next night after a large-scale manhunt.[26][27][28][29] Brooklyn Park police chief Mark Bruley said Boelter was "not a real police officer" and "clearly impersonating" one.

On June 15, 2025, U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar described Hortman's killing as a "politically motivated assassination" and said that authorites believed Boelter was hiding somewhere in the Midwest and "might" still be in Minnesota.[30] Boelter was apprehended in Sibley County after being spotted by a resident's trail camera and by drones operated by law enforcement.[31] The capture of and charges against Boelter were announced at a press conference led by the U.S. Attorney for the District of Minnesota, Joseph H. Thompson, on June 16, 2025.[32] On June 16, 2025, Sophie and Colin Hortman, the children of Melissa and Mark, issued a statement calling for 'hope and resilience'.[33]

Honors and accolades

In 2019, the Minnesota Milk Producers Association recognized Hortman as its Legislator of the Year for her work "securing the 2019 Agriculture, Rural Development, and Housing budget which included investing $8 million for the Dairy Assistance Investment, and Relief Initiative".[34] Hortman won awards from the 2020 caucus for her bipartisan work.[35] She also won awards from Conservation Minnesota.[36]

Electoral history

Minnesota House, district 47B (2004–2010)

Year Election Date Elected Defeated Total Plurality
2004 General[37] Nov. 2 Melissa Hortman DFL 10,846 50.90% Stephanie Olsen (incumbent) Rep. 10,444 49.01% 21,309 402
2006 General[38] Nov. 7 Melissa Hortman (inc) DFL 9,269 55.86% Andrew Reinhardt Rep. 7,301 44.00% 16,593 1,968
2008 General[39] Nov. 4 Melissa Hortman (inc) DFL 12,382 54.74% Andrew Reinhardt Rep. 10,187 45.04% 22,619 2,195
2010 General[40] Nov. 2 Melissa Hortman (inc) DFL 8,278 51.30% Linda Etim Rep. 7,030 43.56% 16,137 1,248
Don Hallblade Ind. 822 5.09%

Minnesota House, district 36B (2012–2020)

Year Election Date Elected Defeated Total Plurality
2012 General[41] Nov. 6 Melissa Hortman (inc) DFL 11,679 55.22% Andrew Reinhardt Rep. 8,555 40.45% 21,150 3,124
Andrew Kratoska Ind. 891 4.21%
2014 General[42] Nov. 4 Melissa Hortman (inc) DFL 7,407 51.90% Peter Crema Rep. 6,851 48.00% 14,272 556
2016 General[43] Nov. 8 Melissa Hortman (inc) DFL 12,064 55.66% Peter Crema Rep. 9,560 44.11% 21,673 2,504
2018 General[44] Nov. 6 Melissa Hortman (inc) DFL 12,514 63.05% Jermain A. Botsio Rep. 7,302 36.79% 19,849 5,212
2020 General[45] Nov. 3 Melissa Hortman (inc) DFL 15,076 60.45% Scott Simmons Rep. 9,828 39.41% 24,938 5,248

Minnesota House, district 34B (2022, 2024)

Year Election Date Elected Defeated Total Plurality
2022 General[46] Nov. 8 Melissa Hortman (inc) DFL 10,469 62.48% Scott Simmons Rep. 6,268 37.41% 16,756 4,201
2024 General[47] Nov. 5 Melissa Hortman (inc) DFL 13,649 63.08% Scott Simmons Rep. 7,950 36.74% 21,639 5,699

See also

References

  1. ^ "Melissa Hortman". Minnesota Historical Election Archive. Retrieved June 14, 2025.
  2. ^ a b Bierschbach, Briana (April 26, 2017). "Melissa Hortman still isn't sorry". MinnPost. Retrieved June 14, 2025.
  3. ^ Blake, Matthew (June 14, 2025). "Melissa Hortman obituary: Remembering her determination, humor". MinnPost. Retrieved June 15, 2025.
  4. ^ a b c d e f "Hortman, Melissa - Legislator Record - Minnesota Legislators Past & Present". www.lrl.mn.gov. Retrieved April 12, 2023.
  5. ^ Salisbury, Bill (December 29, 2018). "After engineering the DFL suburban wave, Melissa Hortman sets sights on 2019 legislative session". Twin Cities. Retrieved January 21, 2019.
  6. ^ Featherly, Kevin (November 17, 2018). "Lawyers take top two House leadership posts". Minnesota Lawyer. Retrieved June 14, 2025.
  7. ^ Bakst, Brian (November 9, 2018). "New House DFL leaders hail from suburbs". Minnesota Public Radio.
  8. ^ "Vote Smart - Facts For All". Retrieved June 14, 2025.
  9. ^ "2012 Candidate Grades (General Election) « Gun Owners Civil Rights Alliance". Archived from the original on July 8, 2014.
  10. ^ "The Voter's Self Defense System". Vote Smart. Retrieved June 14, 2025.
  11. ^ Bierschbach, Briana (January 7, 2019). "Hortman brings experience, quiet irreverence to speaker's chair". www.mprnews.org. Retrieved January 20, 2019.
  12. ^ "HF 729 Status in the House for the 88th Legislature (2013 - 2014)". www.revisor.mn.gov. Retrieved January 20, 2019.
  13. ^ "HF 956 Status in the House for the 88th Legislature (2013 - 2014)". www.revisor.mn.gov. Retrieved January 20, 2019.
  14. ^ "Rep. Melissa Hortman (34B) - Minnesota House of Representatives". www.house.mn.gov. Retrieved April 12, 2023.
  15. ^ "Speakers of the Minnesota House of Representatives, 1849-present". Minnesota Legislature. Retrieved June 15, 2025.
  16. ^ "House DFL leader won't back down from 'white male card game' remarks". MPR News. April 4, 2017. Retrieved June 14, 2025.
  17. ^ Ranalli, Ralph (July 20, 2020). "Melissa Hortman MC/MPA 2018 leads as speaker of the Minnesota House of Representatives". Harvard Kennedy School. Retrieved June 14, 2025.
  18. ^ "Republicans override Simon's adjournment of House, elect Demuth as speaker". ABC 6 News. January 14, 2025. Retrieved January 14, 2025.
  19. ^ Schmidt, Corey. "Demuth chosen as Minnesota House speaker as power-sharing agreement ends DFL boycott". St. Cloud Times. Retrieved June 14, 2025.
  20. ^ Mantos, Rachel (March 18, 2025). "Minnesota House power sharing agreement takes effect". ABC 6 News - kaaltv.com. Retrieved June 14, 2025.
  21. ^ "About Melissa". Melissa Hortman for State House. November 6, 2017. Retrieved October 11, 2020.
  22. ^ a b "Live updates on Minnesota lawmaker shootings: Legislators targeted by suspect impersonating police". FOX 9. June 14, 2025. Retrieved June 14, 2025.
  23. ^ Lamy, Obed; Karnowski, Steve; Balsamo, Mike; Durkin Richer, Alanna (June 16, 2025). "Suspect who shot 2 Minnesota lawyers also allegedly shot Melissa Hortman's dog". The Washington Post. Retrieved June 17, 2025.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  24. ^ Sullivan, Tim (June 14, 2025). "Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz: former House speaker and husband killed in politically motivated shooting. Donald Trump is responsible for political violence". AP News. Retrieved June 14, 2025.
  25. ^ Leingang, Rachel (June 14, 2025). "Two Democratic lawmakers shot, one fatally, in 'politically motivated assassination' in Minnesota". The Guardian. Retrieved June 14, 2025.
  26. ^ Van Oot, Torey (June 14, 2025). "Suspect identified in fatal shooting of Minnesota lawmaker". Axios. Archived from the original on June 14, 2025. Retrieved June 14, 2025.
  27. ^ Day, Jeff (June 14, 2025). "Who is Vance Boelter, the man police identified as suspect in the assassination of Rep. Melissa Hortman?". Minnesota Star Tribune. Archived from the original on June 14, 2025. Retrieved June 14, 2025.
  28. ^ Owen, Tess. "Suspect in Minnesota Shooting Linked to Security Company, Evangelical Ministry". Wired. Archived from the original on June 14, 2025. Retrieved June 14, 2025.
  29. ^ Nace, Aki (June 14, 2025). "Person of interest in Minnesota DFL lawmaker shootings identified as Vance Boelter". CBS News. Retrieved June 14, 2025.
  30. ^ Lebowitz, Megan (June 15, 2025). "Sen. Amy Klobuchar says authorities believe suspect in 'politically motivated assassination' is still in the Midwest". NBC News. Retrieved June 15, 2025.
  31. ^ Turtinen, Melissa (June 15, 2025). "Vance Boelter's wife in vehicle with cash, passports that was pulled over in Onamia". Fox 9. Retrieved June 15, 2025.
  32. ^ "District of Minnesota | After Two-Day Manhunt, Suspect Charged with Shooting Two Minnesota Lawmakers and Their Spouses | United States Department of Justice". www.justice.gov. June 16, 2025. Retrieved June 16, 2025.
  33. ^ Wagener, Izzy (June 17, 2025). "Children of Melissa and Mark Hortman release statement on their deaths • Minnesota Reformer". Minnesota Reformer. Retrieved June 17, 2025.
  34. ^ "Melissa Hortman Named Minnesota Milk's Legislator of the Year". Hoards Dairyman. Retrieved June 14, 2025.
  35. ^ "News and Views from Melissa Hortman (DFL) 47B - Minnesota House of Representatives". House.leg.state.mn.us. October 7, 2005. Retrieved July 20, 2010.
  36. ^ "Conservation Minnesota Voter Center || Legislative News". Mnweathercenter.org. Archived from the original on July 27, 2011. Retrieved July 20, 2010.
  37. ^ "Results for STATE REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICT 47B". Minnesota Secretary of State. December 22, 2004. Retrieved June 14, 2025.
  38. ^ "Results for STATE REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICT 47B". Minnesota Secretary of State. December 13, 2006. Retrieved June 14, 2025.
  39. ^ "Results for STATE REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICT 47B". Minnesota Secretary of State. January 3, 2009. Retrieved June 14, 2025.
  40. ^ "Results for STATE REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICT 47B". Minnesota Secretary of State. January 19, 2011. Retrieved June 14, 2025.
  41. ^ "Results for State Representative District 36B". Minnesota Secretary of State. December 7, 2012. Retrieved June 14, 2025.
  42. ^ "Results for State Representative District 36B". Minnesota Secretary of State. January 28, 2015. Retrieved June 14, 2025.
  43. ^ "Results for State Representative District 36B". Minnesota Secretary of State. November 23, 2016. Retrieved June 14, 2025.
  44. ^ "Results for State Representative District 36B". Minnesota Secretary of State. November 21, 2018. Retrieved June 14, 2025.
  45. ^ "Results for State Representative District 36B". Minnesota Secretary of State. November 30, 2020. Retrieved June 14, 2025.
  46. ^ "Results for State Representative District 34B". Minnesota Secretary of State. December 16, 2022. Retrieved June 14, 2025.
  47. ^ "Results for State Representative District 34B". Minnesota Secretary of State. January 27, 2025. Retrieved June 14, 2025.
Minnesota House of Representatives
Preceded by Minority Leader of the Minnesota House of Representatives
2017–2019 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Minority Leader of the Minnesota House of Representatives
2025 		Vacant
Political offices
Preceded by Speaker of the Minnesota House of Representatives
2019–2025 		Succeeded by
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