Latest news with #Tim Walz
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Walz calls Sept. 16 special election to fill slain lawmaker Rep. Melissa Hortman's seat
Brooklyn Park voters will take to the polls on Sept. 16 to fill the vacant seat of Rep. Melissa Hortman, who was killed last month in a politically motivated assassination. Gov. Tim Walz on Friday issued a writ of special election for the House District 34B seat, which encompasses parts of Anoka and Hennepin counties. A special primary for the seat, if necessary, will be on Aug. 12. Hortman and her husband were shot and killed on June 14 in their Brooklyn Park home. Their deaths, along with the attempted assassination of Sen. John Hoffman, DFL-Champlin, and his wife have left Minnesota in a state of shock and grief. Hortman first ran for the House seat in 1998 and 2002 and lost both times before winning in 2004 in what was then a swing district. Like many suburban districts, it has since become solidly blue. In 2024, Hortman won her race by 26 percentage points over her Republican challenger and served as the House DFL caucus leader until her death. Given the current status of the House — Republicans hold a 1-seat (67-66) advantage — Democrats are likely to take no chances, despite the near lock on keeping the seat. House Democrats will also likely knock on doors and fundraise to keep the seat blue in honor of their former leader. Brooklyn Park City Council member Christian Eriksen earlier this week announced that he intends to seek the DFL endorsement for the open seat. 'I know in our communities, this seat will endure as 'Melissa's Seat,'' Eriksen said in a social media post announcing his candidacy. 'It is with great respect to her legacy, as well as the legacy of all those whom have served before us, that I run for this office.' More: St. Cloud's Minnesota House reps mourn state legislator shot in targeted attack No Republican candidates have announced for the seat yet. Hortman, who was among the most influential Minnesota elected officials in the past decade, served as House Speaker from 2019 to 2024. Minnesota Reformer is part of States Newsroom, the nation's largest state-focused nonprofit news organization. This article originally appeared on St. Cloud Times: Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz calls special election to fill Hortman's seat
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Gov. Tim Walz calls September special election to fill seat held by Melissa Hortman
Jul. 11—By Nathaniel Minor Star Tribune (TNS) Gov. Tim Walz has called a special election for September to fill a House seat left empty by the assassination of Rep. Melissa Hortman. The election for House District 34B, which covers parts of Anoka and Hennepin counties, will be held on Sept. 16. A primary election, if necessary, will be held a month earlier on Aug. 12, the governor's office said in a press release. At least one candidate is already running. Earlier this week, Brooklyn Park City Councilman Christian Erikson, a Democrat, announced a run for the seat "with many emotions." "I know in our communities, this seat will endure as 'Melissa's Seat.' It is with great respect to her legacy, as well as the legacy of all those whom have served before us, that I run for this office," he wrote on Facebook. Hortman and her husband Mark were shot and killed inside their Brooklyn Park home on June 14. State Sen. John Hoffman and his wife were also shot and seriously injured but are recovering. Vance Boelter, the suspect in both shootings, is facing state and federal murder charges. After Hortman's death, Republicans now hold a one-seat majority over Democrats in the House. Earlier this week, Walz told the Minnesota Star Tribune that he may call the Legislature back for a special session to address budget issues caused by the recently passed reconciliation bill in Congress. He said he'd call a special election for Hortman's seat before a special session, which could restore the balance in the House. If no special session is called, legislators will convene again in February 2025. Candidates have until 5 p.m. on Tuesday to file to run for the seat. ©2025 The Minnesota Star Tribune. Visit Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC
Yahoo
12-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Walz announces special election to fill seat of slain Minnesota Democrat
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D) on Friday announced a special election to fill a state House seat left vacant after the assassination of state Rep. Melissa Hortman (D). The special election will be held Sept. 16, according to Walz's office, with a special primary election for the nomination of candidates taking place Aug. 12 if deemed necessary. Candidates are eligible to file with the state or with county auditors starting Tuesday. The last day to file is July 22. The announcement comes after Hortman, her husband, Mark, and their golden retriever were fatally shot in a June attack that officials described as 'politically motivated.' Melissa Hortman was a former state House Speaker who served District 34B, which represents parts of Anoka and Hennepin counties. She and other Democratic state lawmakers, including state Sen. John Hoffman (D) and his wife, Yvette, were shot and injured at their homes by a man impersonating a police officer. Investigators said the alleged gunman, Vance Boelter, had a list of other targets after an initial search of his vehicle. Former President Biden and former Vice President Kamala Harris both attended Melissa Hortman's funeral last month in Minnesota. 'Our parents touched so many lives, and they leave behind an incredible legacy of dedication to their community that will live on in us, their friends, their colleagues and co-workers, and every single person who knew and loved them,' the Hortmans' children, Sophie and Colin, wrote in a statement. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
11-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Special election announced to fill Rep. Hortman's seat
The Brief Gov. Tim Walz has issued a writ of special election to fill Rep. Melissa Hortman's seat after her death. The election will be held on Sept. 16, and if needed, a primary election will be held on Aug. 12. Rep. Hortman served District 34B, which covered parts of Anoka and Hennepin counties. BROOKLYN PARK, Minn. (FOX 9) - A special election will be held in September to fill Rep. Melissa Hortman's seat after her death. What we know Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz issued a writ of special election Monday to fill the vacancy after the death of Rep. Hortman. Rep. Hortman represented District 34B, which covers parts of Anoka and Hennepin Counties. The special election will be held on Sept. 16, and if needed, a primary will be held on Aug. 12. Those who would like to run for the seat can file with the Secretary of State from July 15 until 5 p.m. on July 22. On July 7, Brooklyn Park City Council Member Christian Eriksen announced he is running for the Minnesota House Representative seat formerly held by Hortman. READ MORE: Brooklyn Park city council member announces run for Hortman's seat The backstory Hortman and her husband Mark were fatally shot in their Brooklyn Park home on June 14. Sen. John Hoffman and his wife were injured in their Champlin home in the targeted attacks. The man suspected of the shootings made his third appearance in St. Paul federal court on July 3. Vance Boelter, who is charged with six federal counts, including murder, told the judge he's "looking forward" to court, and for the truth and facts of June 14 to come out. Boelter is also facing four state counts, including second-degree murder. He could also face first-degree murder charges, but must be indicted by a grand jury under state law. READ MORE: Minnesota lawmaker shootings: Sen. John Hoffman released from hospital Police say Boelter was disguised as a police officer when he entered the Hortman's home and fired the deadly shots. He then shot at Brooklyn Park Police officers and fled the area, leading to the largest manhunt in the history of Minnesota. READ MORE: Minnesota lawmaker shootings: Read the full list of charges against Vance Boelter What they're saying The Minnesota House DFL released a statement Friday on the upcoming special election: "This vacancy was created when Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark were assassinated in their home on June 14, 2025. The loss of the Speaker Emerita will never be filled. Yet, perhaps she, most of all, believed Minnesotans deserved the most fervent representation they could get. So, the Minnesotans in 34B deserve to be fully represented in St. Paul as soon as possible. "Speaker Emerita Hortman was a world-class campaign strategist, and her example leaves us a blueprint to carry forward. The House DFL will knock on every door possible and make sure Minnesotans in 34B know how to make their voices heard in this election. "DFLers are committed to winning this election for the people of 34B and ensuring a consistent balance of power is maintained for the state of Minnesota. The Minnesota House was tied until June 14, and the results of this election will, again, determine the balance of the House. After the chaos caused by some in St. Paul and Washington, D.C., Minnesotans deserve leaders who are solely focused on getting the work done that will make all our lives better." The Source A press release from Gov. Tim Walz's office, a statement from the House DFL, and past FOX 9 reporting.
