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Bloomberg
3 days ago
- Politics
- Bloomberg
Minnesota's Lessons for America's Politics
There may have been no place in the country less likely for a political assassination to occur than Minnesota, and no target less likely than Melissa Hortman. The state Democratic House leader, 55, was gunned down in her home along with her husband last week, days after taking the toughest vote of her career to ensure a bipartisan budget deal would prevail. Hortman, who served 20 years in the state legislature, was no extremist. She loathed the personal-attack style that has become all too common in politics. She understood that 'people all needed to get some kind of a win, and feel they had gotten something for their constituents,' said her Republican counterpart, House Speaker Lisa Demuth. 'And I think she prioritized that."
Fox News
7 days ago
- Politics
- Fox News
Minn. gov thanks law enforcement for bringing lawmaker's alleged killer to justice after two-day manhunt
After a grueling two-day manhunt, Vance Boelter, the suspect accused of shooting two Minnesota state lawmakers, was captured and Minnesota lawmakers and the governor are expressing their appreciation for those who are helping bring him to justice. House Speaker Lisa Demuth took to social media to express how glad she was that the suspect was now in custody and the nightmare was ending. "I'm grateful that this nightmare has come to an end with the suspect captured so he can be charged, prosecuted, & punished for the horror he has wrought on MN. Thank you to the local, state, & federal officials who ensured this evil man faces justice," she wrote. More than 20 agencies worked together to bring in the suspect and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz thanked them for leaving their families "to run into danger and deliver justice for Melissa and Mark Hortman." Boelter, 57, was captured in Sibley County after a two-day manhunt. He allegedly killed former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, early Saturday morning at their Brooklyn Park home in Minneapolis before allegedly shooting State Sen. John Hoffman, also a Democrat, and his wife, Yvette, in their nearby Champlin home in a related attack. Walz made note that the people of the U.S. need to come together and shouldn't accept violence as a norm. "As a country we cannot become numb to this violence. We are a deeply divided nation. That has become even more clear over the last two days. The way we move forward and solve the problems facing our nation is not through hate. It is not through violence. It is through humility, and grace, and civility," he said in a statement Sunday night. He also asked that members of the community acknowledge the pain and grief endured by the Hortman's family and that they take comfort in the couple's memory. "To Melissa and Mark's family: I cannot fathom your pain, your grief. Let us take solace in their memory, in Melissa's legacy of selfless, pragmatic, gentle public service. The state of Minnesota grieves with you" said Walz. "To our law enforcement officers: thank you for your courage, your service, and your professionalism. You have saved lives," Walz expressed to those involved in the arrest. "As we heal, we will not let fear win," he said. U.S. Sen. Amy Klombuchar of Minnesota thanked all law enforcement officers involved in tracking down the suspect, calling their efforts "a mammoth and heroic effort." Fox News Digital's Audrey Conklin contributed to this article.
Fox News
7 days ago
- Politics
- Fox News
Minn. gov thanks law enforcement for bringing House Speaker's alleged killer to justice after two-day manhunt
Print Close By Christina Shaw Published June 16, 2025 After a grueling two-day manhunt, Vance Boelter, the suspect accused of shooting two Minnesota state lawmakers, was captured and Minnesota lawmakers and the governor are expressing their appreciation for those who are helping bring him to justice. House Speaker Lisa Demuth took to social media to express how glad she was that the suspect was now in custody and the nightmare was ending. "I'm grateful that this nightmare has come to an end with the suspect captured so he can be charged, prosecuted, & punished for the horror he has wrought on MN. Thank you to the local, state, & federal officials who ensured this evil man faces justice," she wrote. SUSPECTED MINNESOTA LAWMAKER ASSASSIN VANCE BOELTER CAPTURED More than 20 agencies worked together to bring in the suspect and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz thanked them for leaving their families "to run into danger and deliver justice for Melissa and Mark Hortman." Boelter, 57, was captured in Sibley County after a two-day manhunt. He allegedly killed Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, early Saturday morning at their Brooklyn Park home in Minneapolis before allegedly shooting State Sen. John Hoffman, also a Democrat, and his wife, Yvette, in their nearby Champlin home in a related attack. Walz made note that the people of the U.S. need to come together and shouldn't accept violence as a norm. MINNESOTA OFFICIALS FIND CAR, HAT BELONGING TO ASSASSIN SUSPECT VANCE BOELTER ON HIGHWAY IN 'FLUID' SEARCH "As a country we cannot become numb to this violence. We are a deeply divided nation. That has become even more clear over the last two days. The way we move forward and solve the problems facing our nation is not through hate. It is not through violence. It is through humility, and grace, and civility," he said in a statement Sunday night. He also asked that members of the community acknowledge the pain and grief endured by the Hortman's family and that they take comfort in the couple's memory. "To Melissa and Mark's family: I cannot fathom your pain, your grief. Let us take solace in their memory, in Melissa's legacy of selfless, pragmatic, gentle public service. The state of Minnesota grieves with you" said Walz. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP "To our law enforcement officers: thank you for your courage, your service, and your professionalism. You have saved lives," Walz expressed to those involved in the arrest. "As we heal, we will not let fear win," he said. U.S. Sen. Amy Klombuchar of Minnesota thanked all law enforcement officers involved in tracking down the suspect, calling their efforts "a mammoth and heroic effort." Print Close URL
New York Times
14-06-2025
- Politics
- New York Times
Live Updates: Manhunt for Suspect in Political Assassination Rattles Minnesota
The lawmakers who were shot on Saturday morning in Minnesota were State Representative Melissa Hortman, the top Democrat in the House, and State Senator John A. Hoffman, a fellow Democrat and longtime lawmaker. Ms. Hortman, who was assassinated at her home in Brooklyn Park, Minn., was a lawyer by training and a legislator for about 20 years who served as the speaker of the Minnesota House of Representatives from 2019 to 2025. She represented a reliably Democratic district and routinely won re-election by more than 20 percentage points. She played a key role in passing a trove of bills during the 2023 session, when Democrats held a slim majority in the Legislature, including legislation that expanded abortion rights, legalized recreational marijuana and required employers to offer paid family and medical leave. This year, under Ms. Hortman's leadership, Democrats in the House boycotted the early weeks of the legislative session amid a fight for control of the chamber. Voters last year left Democrats and Republicans with an equal number of seats in the House, but challenges to two of the elections won by Democrats created a period of uncertainty around which party would control the chamber. When those challenges were settled, Ms. Hortman agreed to let the top Republican in the House, Representative Lisa Demuth, serve as speaker. Colleagues have long praised Ms. Hortman's work ethic, negotiation skills and pragmatism. Jerry Gale, Ms. Hortman's campaign manager, said in an interview that she was a tireless campaigner who was passionate about recruiting fellow Democrats to run for office. 'She had a vision of what she wanted the state to be like, and she knew it was going to take a lot of work,' Mr. Gale said. As the political rhetoric in the state grew more acrimonious in recent years, Mr. Gale said, Ms. Hortman worried about her safety. 'I think it did cross her mind at times on the campaign trail,' he said. Her own style was not combative, however. On the campaign trail and in the Capitol, Ms. Hortman kept her remarks short, to the point and civil, he said. Ms. Hortman was married with two children, according to her state legislative biography. Her husband, Mark, was also shot and killed on Saturday. Sen. John A. Hoffman has served in the Legislature since 2013. Before being elected, he served as a member of the Anoka-Hennepin School Board for several years. Gov. Tim Walz of Minnesota said the Hoffmans had both undergone surgery. 'We are cautiously optimistic that they will survive this assassination attempt,' he said. Mr. Hoffman, 60, was born in Casper, Wyo., and formerly made a living as a marketing and public relations professional. He and his wife, Yvette, have a daughter. They live in Champlin, a suburb north of Minneapolis. His home address was published on his biographical page on the Senate's website. Mr. Hoffman chairs the Senate's Human Services Committee. He is a fourth-term senator, and won his most recent election by 10 percentage points. 'A hallmark of my approach is collaboration across the aisle,' Mr. Hoffman wrote in a letter to constituents ahead of last year's legislative session. 'I firmly believe that the path to progress for our state involves considering input from all perspectives, regardless of which party holds the majority.' On his campaign website, Mr. Hoffman said he was particularly proud of his efforts to make it easier for people with disabilities to work. He also described himself as a conscientious steward of taxpayer dollars.
Yahoo
14-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Minnesota budget deal sparks controversy amid undocumented immigrant health care cuts
SAINT PAUL — Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and legislative leaders announced a budget agreement Thursday, May 15, but not everyone is thrilled with the deal. While party leaders discussed the proposal, a group of DFL lawmakers drowned out those speaking at the Thursday morning presser. These chants included "Don't kill immigrants" and "You're killing our communities." At times, these protesters pounded on the doors of the Governor's Reception Room, where the news conference was held. How your wallet could be impacted: Minnesota state budget could mean hefty property tax increases for Stearns County residents These lawmakers protested removing undocumented adult immigrants from MinnesotaCare coverage. Lawmakers say the health care cut is to reduce government spending, as the budget is expected to be $66 billion to $67 billion — roughly $5 billion less than the current two-year budget. "It's not a measure of being uncaring. It's a fiscal issue, and there are still opportunities (for) those Minnesotans that are here," House Speaker Lisa Demuth, R-Cold Spring, said. "Those that are here illegally, they can still join the private market, so it's not that health care is being denied in any way." Demuth said more than 20,000 people joined the program, compared to the projected 5,700 people. MinnesotaCare coverage is expected to continue for undocumented children. There are an estimated 81,000 undocumented immigrants in the North Star State. House DFL Leader Melissa Hortman said coverage for undocumented adults is expected to end Dec. 31. The program went into effect this past January. Members of the Minnesota Senate and House People of Color and Indigenous Caucus held a separate press conference Thursday afternoon, condemning the undocumented immigrant health care cuts, alongside other supporting legislators. "There is no fiscal responsibility when you do this," State Sen. Alice Mann, DFL-Edina, said. "When we take away people's health care they end up in the emergency department. It costs more money for everyone in our community. It costs hospitals more money. It puts our health care system in disarray." St. Cloud's increase in deadly overdoses How families, officials are fighting fentanyl, xylazine On Thursday morning, the St. Cloud Times didn't see any St. Cloud area lawmakers participating in the protest. Some protesting lawmakers include Rep. Leigh Finke, DFL-Saint Paul; Sen. Erin Maye Quade, DFL-Apple Valley; and Sen. Omar Fateh, DFL-Minneapolis. The Minnesota House of Representatives and Senate must pass the proposed budget. Since there are only four days left in the legislative session, lawmakers say a special session could be on the horizon. A recent discovery: St. Cloud skull solves mystery of missing Wisconsin woman, sparking dialogue on addiction A prospective special session comes as Senate Minority Leader Mark Johnson, R-East Grand Forks, didn't sign the agreement, and several DFL Minnesota Senate members are protesting the deal. The DFL has a one-seat Senate majority. "While the final deal includes some needed reforms, it falls short of acknowledging we need bipartisan support to stop the harmful progressive policies hurting small businesses and working families," Johnson wrote. Corey Schmidt covers politics and courts for the St. Cloud Times. He can be reached at cschmidt@ This article originally appeared on St. Cloud Times: Democrat protesters drown out Gov. Tim Walz during budget conference
