&w=3840&q=100)
Minnesota politician killed, another shot at: Who are Melissa Hortman and John Hoffman?
Minnesota lawmakers Melissa Hortman and John Hoffman were shot along with their partners on Saturday (June 14). Authorities suspect that they were targeted by the same person. While Hortman died, Hoffman underwent surgery. Both Democrats are loved for their work within the state read more
This combination of photographs provided by the Minnesota State House shows Representative Melissa Hortman and Senator John A. Hoffman. AP
In the wee hours of Saturday (June 14), shocking news emerged from Minnesota, United States. There was an attack on two lawmakers in their homes. A gunman shot dead Melissa Hortman, a Democratic state legislator and her husband, Mark. Another state legislator, John Hoffman and his wife were also attacked inside his house in the Minneapolis area but escaped with injuries.
The suspect, Vance Boelter , has been identified, and a massive manhunt is underway to arrest him. He reportedly posed as a policeman.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
Here's what we know about the two politicians.
Who was Melissa Hortman?
Melissa Hortman grew up in Spring Lake Park and Andover in Minnesota, and went to a public high school in Blaine. She graduated from a college at Boston University and later returned to Minnesota to begin law school.
She has been described as 'a bright shining light of a human being' by those who knew her while being a lawyer, a Girl Scout leader and a dedicated volunteer at the Sunday school.
The 55-year-old was elected to the state House of Representatives in 2004 to represent District 34B in the northern suburbs of Minneapolis. Hortman rose through the ranks of the Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party (DFL), ultimately serving as both DFL Leader and Speaker of the House from 2019 to 2025, as per her legislative profile.
House Speaker Melissa Hortman, DFL-Brooklyn Park, attends a press conference in St. Paul, Minnesota. File image/AP
Having served six years as state House Speaker, Hortman faced a significant challenge when the 2024 elections cost Democrats their slim majority. In response, she led fellow Democrats in a nearly month-long boycott of House sessions that started in mid-January. This strategic move successfully thwarted the GOP's attempt to exploit a temporary Democratic vacancy, ultimately forcing Republicans into a power-sharing arrangement within the chamber.
Hortman wanted to protect state health coverage for adult immigrants living in the US illegally, a liberal policy enacted on her watch as speaker in 2023. But when the only budget deal that she could broker included a GOP bill to cut that coverage, she provided the single Democratic vote in the House, securing its passage so that state government would remain funded for the next two years.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
'She battled fiercely, but never let it impact the personal bond that we developed serving as caucus leaders,' GOP House Speaker Lisa Demuth said in a statement. 'I am beyond heartbroken by her loss.'
What plans did Hortman propose?
Joining the Democrats' legislative leadership team in 2007, Hortman steadily climbed the ranks, becoming House minority leader in 2017. Her efforts were instrumental in the Democrats recapturing a House majority in 2019.
As a legislator, she championed significant environmental measures, proposing state emission standards akin to California's and advocating for a ban on the sale of mercury-containing products.
She also proposed studying the feasibility of ending state investments in fossil fuel companies. Demuth, the current Republican House speaker, said Hortman was a nationally recognised expert on energy policy.
Who is John Hoffman?
John Hoffman is a Minnesota State Senator representing District 36. He had served in the Minnesota Senate since 2013 and is currently a member of the Democratic-Farmer-Labor (DFL) Party.
The 60-year-old is a Wyoming native who earned a bachelor's degree from Saint Mary's University and spent several decades working for various Minnesota businesses and nonprofits, as per his campaign page.
In addition to his political career, he is known for his service on the Anoka-Hennepin School Board, beginning in 2005, and his contribution as co-founder of Consumer Credit of Minnesota, a non-profit organisation dedicated to consumer assistance.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
Vice Chair John Hoffman, left, attends an Anoka-Hennepin School Board meeting in Coon Rapids, Minnesota. File image/AP
A committed advocate, Hoffman demonstrated his legislative priorities in 2023 by supporting budget legislation that expanded MinnesotaCare health programme coverage to undocumented immigrants, a provision that took effect this year. More recently, on Monday (June 9), he voted against a Republican-backed bill that sought to terminate this coverage for adults starting January 1 – a key component of the broader budget agreement negotiated by Hortman.
Beyond healthcare, Hoffman has actively championed the rights of individuals with disabilities. Last year, he sponsored a bill aimed at preventing courts from barring people with disabilities from adopting children. In 2023, he further proposed a state constitutional amendment to establish a dedicated fund for long-term care, to be financed by taxing the Social Security benefits of Minnesota's wealthiest residents, reported news website FOX9.
How have Donald Trump, other politicians reacted?
The killings of the Democratic leaders have sent shockwaves across the US.
US President Donald Trump has condemned the 'terrible shooting' of the lawmakers.
Remembering Mellisa Hortman, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz said, 'Hortman, a formidable public servant, will be remembered as a giant in Minnesota.'
Walz further said, 'We are not a country that settles our differences at gunpoint. We have demonstrated again and again in our state that it is possible to peacefully disagree, that our state is strengthened by civil public debate. We must stand united against all forms of violence – and I call on everyone to join me in that commitment.'
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
'She wasn't only a leader, she was a damn good legislator and Minnesotans everywhere will suffer because of this loss,' said Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin, a former Minnesota state party chair and a friend of Hortman's.
According to CBS News, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison said he and Hortman were friends for over 20 years, and that she was a wise and caring person.
With inputs from agencies
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Minnesota Lawmakers shot: Manhunt for alleged shooter intensifies in US after lawmaker killed, another wounded
Washington, Jun 15, 2025 -Police and FBI agents waged a huge manhunt Sunday for a gunman who killed a Democratic state lawmaker and her husband in Minnesota in what officials called a politically motivated attack . As America reeled from its latest spasm of political violence, lawmakers called for a return to civility in political discourse that has been overheated and angry for years. Authorities searched for a man identified as Vance Boelter , 57, who also allegedly shot and wounded another lawmaker and his wife early Saturday in the northern state bordering Canada. Officials said Boelter impersonated a police officer as he came to the homes of these couples near Minneapolis and shot them, and that officers found a manifesto and a list of other lawmakers and potential targets in his car. Boelter fled on foot after exchanging gunfire with officers after the second shooting. Live Events Officials have issued security alerts in South Dakota and other states as the hunt proceeds, US Senator Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota said Sunday as she mourned her slain friend, Democratic state representative Melissa Hortman. "I am concerned about all our political leaders, political organizations," she said. "It was politically motivated, and there clearly was some throughline with abortion because of the groups that were on the list, and other things that I've heard were in this manifesto. So that was one of his motivations." As speaker of the Minnesota House of Representatives, Hortman was committed to legislation that protected reproductive rights in the state, local media reported. America is bitterly divided politically as President Donald Trump embarks on his second term and routinely insults his opponents. Political violence is becoming more and more common. Trump himself survived an assassination attempt last year. An assailant with a hammer attacked the husband of then US House speaker Nancy Pelosi in 2022. And Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro's house was set on fire this year. "We need to bring the tone down, Klobuchar said on CNN. US Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky, himself attacked by a neighbor in 2017, told NBC "nothing brings us together more than, you know, mourning for somebody else who's in political life, Republican or Democrats." On Saturday the FBI released a photo that appears to show Boelter wearing a mask as he stands outside the home of one of the lawmakers. It is offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to his arrest and conviction. The shootings came on the day a dramatic split screen showed America divided: hundreds of thousands of protesters across the country took to the streets to rally against Trump as the president presided over a big military parade in Washington -- a rare spectacle criticized as seeking to glorify him. Trump has condemned the killing of Hortman and her husband Mark and the wounding of state Senator John Hoffman and his wife Yvette. In a conversation Sunday with ABC News, Trump was asked if he planned to call Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, who was Kamala Harris's running mate in the election Trump won last year. "Well, it's a terrible thing. I think he's a terrible governor. I think he's a grossly incompetent person," the president said. "But I may, I may call him, I may call other people too."
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Minnesota killing: Why suspected shooter Vance Luther Boelter's wife was driving with weapon, cash, passports
Vance Boelter's wife Jenny was found with cash, weapons and passports. The two separate Minnesota shootings in which two politicians were killed and two were injured in what seemed like a targeted act allegedly by one Vance Luther Boelter took a surprising fresh turn after his wife was found driving with cash, ammunition, and passports in a car. Jenny Boelter, the wife of Luther Boelter, was detained for questioning from a traffic stop not very far from where the targeted attacks took place. Police have not yet arrested Boelter. His wife was only detained for a few hours and not arrested. The FBI has offered a reward of up to $50,000 for information on Vance Boelter. Where is Vance Boelter? Several questions remain unanswered Police made little progress in the targeted attacks on Democratic politicians in Minnesota. Boelter is believed to have left the place on foot after his two attacks. It is not know how police stopped his wife's car -- whether it was a routine check or whether she was being tracked. There's no explanation why Boelter's wife was carrying weapon, ammunition, cash and passports on her drive. The relationship between the husband and the wife is not clear because Vance is believed to be living at a different address which was raided by the police. Police found a list of nearly 70 targets left by Boelter, including Representative Ilhan Omar, Senator Tina Smith, and Governor Tim Walz. Abortion advocates and providers were also on the list. There were 'No Kings Day' posters in Boelter's based on which Republicans claimed Boelter is a Democrat and he also worked under Governor Tim Walz. But Boelter's childhood friend claimed that Boelter is a Trump supporter though he said that they did not speak about politics recently. Boelter has a list of accomplishments in his LinkedIn profile but it is not known how much of it is true. His LinkedIn profile identifies himself as 'Dr' Boelter. Boelter's profile hints at his previous ties to the Middle East and Africa. For example, he claims to be the CEO is the Red Lion Group, which is based in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Hindustan Times
2 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Minnesota shooter Vance Boelter ‘wasn't a hateful person, but needed help, says best friend
Minnesota shooter Vance Boelter's best friend David Carlson opened up about the former on Saturday, just hours after he shot dead Rep Melissa Hortman and her husband, and also shot at Sen John Hoffman and his wife. The 59-year-old had also received a chilling text message from Boelter before the shooting, wherein he told Carlson and another friend that he might be dead shortly, adding that he loved them both. Carlson reportedly called authorities soon after receiving that text message as he feared that his best friend might have harmed himself. He expressed shock over the possibility that Boelter, whom he has been friends with since fourth grade, could be involved in such a heinous crime. "He wasn't a hateful person. But he needed help," Carlson was quoted as saying by the New York Post. According to CNN, Carlson said that Boelter was going through financial problems and was struggling to find work. "He was looking around, but maybe things didn't work out and he just gave up and decided to go out in a blaze of glory," he said, adding that he has no idea what his friend was thinking. Carlson also revealed that Boelter, despite having been a political appointee of Minnesota's Democratic Governor Tim Walz, voted for Republican leader, President Donald Trump. However, he went on to say that he was not aware of his current feelings on state politics. According to the best friend, while Boelter was against abortion, he wasn't opposed to it in such a manner that could have motivated him to kill. At the time of the incident, Boelter was allegedly dressed as a police officer and driving a fake police cruiser. He shot legislators Hortman and Hoffman, and their spouses, at their homes. However, the suspect left behind a target list with more than 70 names, including names of top Democrats like Gov Tim Walz, Rep. Ilhan Omar, and Sen. Tina Smith. Soon after the shootings, the FBI identified Vance Luther Boelter as the suspect in the 'targeted' shootings of the Minnesota lawmakers. Considering that Boelter is armed and dangerous, the FBI posted a $50,000 reward for information that leads to his arrest. Additionally, the shooter also had links to a private security firm that owned vehicles resembling police cruisers. Boelter also had no felony record in the state, and was named in just some minor traffic violations.
