Minnesota politician killed, another shot at: Who are Melissa Hortman and John Hoffman?

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.

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.

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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.

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.

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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.

“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.

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.”

“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