Latest news with #Hortmans
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
It's Election Day for Minnesotans, but did voters know that?
The Brief Tuesday was Election Day for tens of thousands of people in Minnesota, but voter turnout was very low. People in Minnesota House District 34B had the chance to pick the DFL candidate who would be expected to win assassinated Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman's seat in November. One voter told us he forgot today was the day of the primary. Election officials expected about 10% turnout. The state's turnout in November 2024 was 76%. BROOKLYN PARK, Minn. (FOX 9) - Election Day came Tuesday for tens of thousands of people in Minnesota today, but voters hit the polls in small numbers. Empty election Do they know? Even the race to replace assassinated DFL leader and Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman didn't draw a big 9 checked St. Paul, where there's an actual city council election, and in Brooklyn Park at the spot where the Hortmans would've voted, and every polling place was steady and slow. But election officials say that's more or less the expectation for an August election. 'Important' election To vote or not to vote Voters 100 and 101 of the day at the Riverview Early Childhood Center are former neighbors of the woman whose seat they're voting to fill. "We thought it was important to vote to fill Melissa's seat," said Brooklyn Park resident Bob Anderson. He and his wife were fairly lonely at the polls and, just a couple of miles away, a potential voter may have revealed why. "I'm a Melissa Hortman fan and a strong Democrat, so I know who I would vote for regardless of which of the three," Vukmanich said. Slow trickle Typical for August Election officials expect around 10% voter turnout for the primary and maybe twice as much in November. It was just a little busier in the race to elect a new St. Paul city council member for Ward 4. "It's really been steady," said Clara Rainer, a head election judge in Ramsey County. "Almost the whole day we've had at least a couple voters in." The slow trickle of voters is normal for an August election. Brooklyn Park city clerk Damon Montero said they had a 7.3% turnout in their last August primary. But it's a stark contrast from nine months ago when 76% of Minnesota's eligible voters cast ballots in the presidential race. "The last election we were here in November and where we're standing right now there were lines basically out the door," said Raineri. Solve the daily Crossword
CBS News
27-06-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
How to watch: Melissa Hortman, husband, dog to lie in state at Minnesota Capitol
The public will have the opportunity on Friday to bid farewell to slain Democratic Minnesota House Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman, her husband Mark and their dog, Gilbert — all of whom will lie in state at the State Capitol Rotunda. The public will be able to pay their respects from noon to 5 p.m., officials say. Melissa Hortman is the first woman to ever lie in state at the Capitol, and only one of nearly 20 to ever have the honor. How to watch What : The Hortmans lie in state at Minnesota Capitol : The Hortmans lie in state at Minnesota Capitol Date: June 27, 2025 June 27, 2025 Time: 12 p.m. CT 12 p.m. CT Location: Minnesota State Capitol Minnesota State Capitol Watch: In the video player below or on the WCCO YouTube page. A private funeral for the Hortmans will be held Saturday at 10:30 a.m. WCCO will livestream the service beginning at 10 a.m. On behalf of the Hortmans' children, Gov. Tim Walz extended an invitation to former Vice President Kamala Harris. She will attend Saturday's services but "won't have a speaking role," according to the Associated Press. Melissa Hortman served in the Minnesota House for 11 terms, representing District 34B. She also spent several years in the role of House Speaker. Since her assassination, many have been praising her leadership. On Thursday, U.S. House Majority Whip Tom Emmer, R-Delano, honored her on the House floor as a bridge builder. A makeshift memorial to state Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark Hortman, is seen at the Minnesota State Capitol building on June 16, 2025 in St. Paul. Steven Garcia / Getty Images "As speaker of the Minnesota House, she led with integrity and fostered bipartisan collaboration, even during the most challenging times in our state," Emmer said. Vance Boelter, 57, is accused of killing the Hortmans and their dog inside their Brooklyn Park home in the early morning hours of June 14. He was arrested near his Sibley County home some 36 hours after the shootings. Officials say it was the largest manhunt in Minnesota history. Boelter now faces state and federal murder and attempted murder charges. His wife, Jenny Boelter, released a statement on Thursday saying their family is "horrified" by her husband's alleged actions. "We are absolutely shocked, heartbroken and completely blindsided," said Jenny Boelter. "This violence does not at all align with our beliefs as a family. It is a betrayal of everything we hold true as tenets of our Christian faith." About 90 minutes before the Hortmans were killed, Boelter is accused of going to the Champlin home of Democratic state Sen. John Hoffman and shooting him nine times. His wife, Yvette, was shot eight times. Sen. Hoffman is still hospitalized in serious but stable condition. Yvette Hoffman is now recovering at home, according to her family. This story will be updated.
Boston Globe
27-06-2025
- Politics
- Boston Globe
Former Minnesota house speaker Melissa Hortman to lie in state as suspect faces court date
Advertisement The criminal case proceeds The man accused of killing the Hortmans and wounding another Democratic lawmaker and his wife is due in court at 11 a.m. Friday to face charges for what the chief federal prosecutor for Minnesota has called 'a political assassination.' Vance Boelter, 57, of Green Isle, surrendered near his home the night of June 15 after what authorities have called the largest search in Minnesota history. Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up The hearing, before Magistrate Judge Douglas Micko, is expected to address whether Boelter should remain in custody without bail and affirm that there is probable cause to proceed. He is not expected to enter a plea. Prosecutors need to secure a grand jury indictment before he's arraigned later, which is when a plea is normally entered. According to the federal complaint, police video shows Boelter outside the Hortmans' home and captures the sound of gunfire. And it says security video shows Boelter approaching the front doors of two other lawmakers' homes dressed as a police officer. Advertisement His lawyers have declined to comment on the charges, which could carry the federal death penalty. The acting U.S. attorney for Minnesota, Joseph Thompson, said last week that no decision has been made. Minnesota abolished its death penalty in 1911. The Death Penalty Information Center says a federal death penalty case hasn't been prosecuted in Minnesota in the modern era, as best as it can tell. Boelter also faces separate murder and attempted murder charges in state court that could carry life without parole, assuming that county prosecutors get their own indictment for first-degree murder. But federal authorities intend to use their power to try Boelter first. Other victims and alleged targets Authorities say Boelter shot and wounded Democratic state Sen. John Hoffman, and his wife, Yvette, at their home in Champlin before shooting and killing the Hortmans in their home in the northern Minneapolis suburb of Brooklyn Park, a few miles away. Federal prosecutors allege Boelter also stopped at the homes of two other Democratic lawmakers. Prosecutors also say he listed dozens of other Democrats as potential targets, including officials in other states. Friends described Boelter as an evangelical Christian with politically conservative views. But prosecutors have declined so far to speculate on a motive. Boelter's wife speaks out Boelter's wife, Jenny, issued a statement through her own lawyers Thursday saying she and her children are 'absolutely shocked, heartbroken and completely blindsided,' and expressing sympathy for the Hortman and Hoffman families. She is not in custody and has not been charged. 'This violence does not align at all with our beliefs as a family,' her statement said. 'It is a betrayal of everything we hold true as tenets of our Christian faith. We are appalled and horrified by what occurred and our hearts are incredibly heavy for the victims of this unfathomable tragedy.' Advertisement An FBI agent's affidavit described the Boelters as 'preppers,' people who prepare for major or catastrophic incidents. Investigators seized 48 guns from his home, according to search warrant documents. While the FBI agent's affidavit said law enforcement stopped Boelter's wife as she traveled with her four children north of the Twin Cities in Onamia on the day of the shootings, she said in her statement that she was not pulled over. She said that after she got a call from authorities, she immediately drove to meet them at a nearby gas station and has fully cooperated with investigators. 'We thank law enforcement for apprehending Vance and protecting others from further harm,' she said.
CBS News
20-06-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
Brooklyn Park hosts healing event in wake of deadly lawmaker shooting, break-in
Neighbors of slain lawmaker looking to regain sense of safety Neighbors of slain lawmaker looking to regain sense of safety Neighbors of slain lawmaker looking to regain sense of safety Healing is the next focus for Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, residents. After Saturday's assassination and attacks, the city held an event to help residents do just that. "We just still can't believe that it happened. We just want to get some peace back," resident Tammy Poquet said. Poquet and her daughter were two of many Brooklyn Park residents who attended the city's healing event on Thursday, hearing from the police department first-hand. "If somebody's pounding at your door, ask to see their badge," said Inspector Elliot Faust of the Brooklyn Park Police Department. "You can call 911 and ask the dispatcher, 'I've got somebody knocking on my door and I want to verify that.'" City leaders also spoke at the event. "Whatever you say sets the tone for what those families, the Hortmans and Hoffmans, and their friends may hear," Brooklyn Park Mayor Hollies Winston said. Fencing now surrounds the Hortmans' Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, home after a break-in overnight Wednesday. WCCO People who attended the event also had questions answered, like whether Vance Boelter was "working alone" or not. "There is no evidence to show there is a larger scheme at play here," Faust said. The meeting comes after the Hortmans' home was burglarized overnight on Wednesday. Neighbors now walk past a new fence surrounding their home that has been installed since the break-in. "We're working hard to get to the bottom of that," Faust said. But for people like Chris H., who says the Hortmans were his neighborhood friends, the citizens know they'll persevere. Attendees praised law enforcement for their swift actions during the attack.
Los Angeles Times
19-06-2025
- Politics
- Los Angeles Times
Hundreds gather to remember prominent Minnesota lawmaker and husband slain in their home
ST. PAUL, Minn. — Hundreds of people, some clutching candles or carrying flowers to lay in front of a memorial, gathered outside Minnesota's Capitol on Wednesday evening for a vigil to remember a prominent state lawmaker and her husband who were gunned down at their home. As a brass quintet from the Minnesota Orchestra played, Gov. Tim Walz wiped away tears and comforted attendees at the gathering for former House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, who were killed early Saturday in the northern Minneapolis suburbs. Colin Hortman, the Hortmans' son, embraced Walz and lay a photo of his parents on the memorial. The memorial, which sprang up outside the Capitol after the killings, features flowers, American flags, photos and sticky notes with such messages as, 'Thank you for always believing in me and in Minnesota' and 'We got this from here. Thank you for everything.' Wednesday's vigil also included a Native American drum circle, a string quartet and the crowd singing 'Amazing Grace.' Around the gathering, there was a heavy police presence, with law enforcement blocking off streets leading up to the Capitol and state troopers standing guard. The event didn't include a speaking program and attendees were instructed not to bring signs of any kind. The man charged in federal and state court with killing the Hortmans, Vance Boelter, is also accused of shooting another Democratic lawmaker, Sen. John Hoffman, and his wife, Yvette, at their home a few miles away in Champlin. They survived and are recovering. Federal prosecutors have declined to speculate about a motive. Boelter's attorneys have declined to comment on the charges. Hortman had served as the top House Democratic leader since 2017, and six years as speaker, starting in 2019. Under a power-sharing deal after the 2024 election left the House tied, her title became speaker emerita and Republican Rep. Lisa Demuth became speaker. Walz has described Hortman as his closest political ally and 'the most consequential Speaker in state history.' The Hortmans were alumni of the University of Minnesota, which held a midday memorial gathering on the Minneapolis campus. Rebecca Cunningham, the university's president, spoke during the event about the grief and outrage people are grappling with along with questions about how things got to this point. 'I don't have the answers to these questions but I know that finding answers starts with the coming together in community as we are today,' she said. Funeral information for the Hortmans has not been announced. Vancleave and Golden write for the Associated Press. Golden reported from Seattle. AP writer Steve Karnowski in Minneapolis contributed to this report.
