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Melissa Hortman

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Melissa Hortman

Melissa Anne Hortman (née Haluptzok; May 27, 1970 – June 14, 2025) was an American politician and lawyer who served as the 61st speaker of the Minnesota House of Representatives. A member of the Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party, she represented northern parts of the Twin Cities metropolitan area in the Minnesota House of Representatives from 2005 to 2025, serving as the House minority leader from 2017 to 2019 and as speaker from 2019 to January 2025. During her tenure, she advocated for transportation, environmental rights, abortion rights, police reform, and gun control policies. She was also the chief author of the state's solar energy standard. On June 14, 2025, Hortman and her husband were fatally shot in their home in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota.

Infobox

Preceded by
Stephanie Olsen
Succeeded by
Xp Lee
Constituency
mw- District 47B (2005–2013)District 36B (2013–2023)District 34B (2023–2025)
Born
Melissa Anne Haluptzok(1970-05-27)May 27, 1970Fridley, Minnesota, U.S.
Died
June 14, 2025(2025-06-14) (aged 55)Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, U.S.
Manner of death
Assassination by gunshot
Resting place
Morningside Memorial Gardens Cemetery, Coon Rapids, Minnesota, U.S.
Political party
Democratic (DFL)
Spouse
mw- Mark Hortman (m. 1993)
Children
2
Education
Boston University (BA)University of Minnesota (JD)Harvard University (MPA)
Website
State House websiteCampaign website
Party
Democratic (DFL)

Tables

· Electoral history › Minnesota House, district 47B (2004–2010)
2002
2002
Year
2002
Election
General
Date
Nov. 5
Elected
Stephanie Olsen
Elected
Rep.
Elected
8,850
Elected
51.67%
Defeated
Melissa Hortman
Defeated
DFL
Defeated
7,467
Defeated
43.60%
Total
17,127
Plurality
1,383
Adam M. Roesch
Adam M. Roesch
Year
Adam M. Roesch
Election
Ind.
Date
797
Elected
4.65%
2004
2004
Year
2004
Election
General
Date
Nov. 2
Elected
Melissa Hortman
Elected
DFL
Elected
10,846
Elected
50.90%
Defeated
Stephanie Olsen (inc)
Defeated
Rep.
Defeated
10,444
Defeated
49.01%
Total
21,309
Plurality
402
2006
2006
Year
2006
Election
General
Date
Nov. 7
Elected
Melissa Hortman (inc)
Elected
DFL
Elected
9,269
Elected
55.86%
Defeated
Andrew Reinhardt
Defeated
Rep.
Defeated
7,301
Defeated
44.00%
Total
16,593
Plurality
1,968
2008
2008
Year
2008
Election
General
Date
Nov. 4
Elected
Melissa Hortman (inc)
Elected
DFL
Elected
12,382
Elected
54.74%
Defeated
Andrew Reinhardt
Defeated
Rep.
Defeated
10,187
Defeated
45.04%
Total
22,619
Plurality
2,195
2010
2010
Year
2010
Election
General
Date
Nov. 2
Elected
Melissa Hortman (inc)
Elected
DFL
Elected
8,278
Elected
51.30%
Defeated
Linda Etim
Defeated
Rep.
Defeated
7,030
Defeated
43.56%
Total
16,137
Plurality
1,248
Don Hallblade
Don Hallblade
Year
Don Hallblade
Election
Ind.
Date
822
Elected
5.09%
Year
Election
Date
Elected
Defeated
Total
Plurality
2002
General
Nov. 5
Stephanie Olsen
Rep.
8,850
51.67%
Melissa Hortman
DFL
7,467
43.60%
17,127
1,383
Adam M. Roesch
Ind.
797
4.65%
2004
General
Nov. 2
Melissa Hortman
DFL
10,846
50.90%
Stephanie Olsen (inc)
Rep.
10,444
49.01%
21,309
402
2006
General
Nov. 7
Melissa Hortman (inc)
DFL
9,269
55.86%
Andrew Reinhardt
Rep.
7,301
44.00%
16,593
1,968
2008
General
Nov. 4
Melissa Hortman (inc)
DFL
12,382
54.74%
Andrew Reinhardt
Rep.
10,187
45.04%
22,619
2,195
2010
General
Nov. 2
Melissa Hortman (inc)
DFL
8,278
51.30%
Linda Etim
Rep.
7,030
43.56%
16,137
1,248
Don Hallblade
Ind.
822
5.09%
· Electoral history › Minnesota House, district 36B (2012–2020)
2012
2012
Year
2012
Election
General
Date
Nov. 6
Elected
Melissa Hortman (inc)
Elected
DFL
Elected
11,679
Elected
55.22%
Defeated
Andrew Reinhardt
Defeated
Rep.
Defeated
8,555
Defeated
40.45%
Total
21,150
Plurality
3,124
Andrew Kratoska
Andrew Kratoska
Year
Andrew Kratoska
Election
Ind.
Date
891
Elected
4.21%
2014
2014
Year
2014
Election
General
Date
Nov. 4
Elected
Melissa Hortman (inc)
Elected
DFL
Elected
7,407
Elected
51.90%
Defeated
Peter Crema
Defeated
Rep.
Defeated
6,851
Defeated
48.00%
Total
14,272
Plurality
556
2016
2016
Year
2016
Election
General
Date
Nov. 8
Elected
Melissa Hortman (inc)
Elected
DFL
Elected
12,064
Elected
55.66%
Defeated
Peter Crema
Defeated
Rep.
Defeated
9,560
Defeated
44.11%
Total
21,673
Plurality
2,504
2018
2018
Year
2018
Election
General
Date
Nov. 6
Elected
Melissa Hortman (inc)
Elected
DFL
Elected
12,514
Elected
63.05%
Defeated
Jermain A. Botsio
Defeated
Rep.
Defeated
7,302
Defeated
36.79%
Total
19,849
Plurality
5,212
2020
2020
Year
2020
Election
General
Date
Nov. 3
Elected
Melissa Hortman (inc)
Elected
DFL
Elected
15,076
Elected
60.45%
Defeated
Scott Simmons
Defeated
Rep.
Defeated
9,828
Defeated
39.41%
Total
24,938
Plurality
5,248
Year
Election
Date
Elected
Defeated
Total
Plurality
2012
General
Nov. 6
Melissa Hortman (inc)
DFL
11,679
55.22%
Andrew Reinhardt
Rep.
8,555
40.45%
21,150
3,124
Andrew Kratoska
Ind.
891
4.21%
2014
General
Nov. 4
Melissa Hortman (inc)
DFL
7,407
51.90%
Peter Crema
Rep.
6,851
48.00%
14,272
556
2016
General
Nov. 8
Melissa Hortman (inc)
DFL
12,064
55.66%
Peter Crema
Rep.
9,560
44.11%
21,673
2,504
2018
General
Nov. 6
Melissa Hortman (inc)
DFL
12,514
63.05%
Jermain A. Botsio
Rep.
7,302
36.79%
19,849
5,212
2020
General
Nov. 3
Melissa Hortman (inc)
DFL
15,076
60.45%
Scott Simmons
Rep.
9,828
39.41%
24,938
5,248
· Electoral history › Minnesota House, district 34B (2022, 2024)
2022
2022
Year
2022
Election
General
Date
Nov. 8
Elected
Melissa Hortman (inc)
Elected
DFL
Elected
10,469
Elected
62.48%
Defeated
Scott Simmons
Defeated
Rep.
Defeated
6,268
Defeated
37.41%
Total
16,756
Plurality
4,201
2024
2024
Year
2024
Election
General
Date
Nov. 5
Elected
Melissa Hortman (inc)
Elected
DFL
Elected
13,649
Elected
63.08%
Defeated
Scott Simmons
Defeated
Rep.
Defeated
7,950
Defeated
36.74%
Total
21,639
Plurality
5,699
Year
Election
Date
Elected
Defeated
Total
Plurality
2022
General
Nov. 8
Melissa Hortman (inc)
DFL
10,469
62.48%
Scott Simmons
Rep.
6,268
37.41%
16,756
4,201
2024
General
Nov. 5
Melissa Hortman (inc)
DFL
13,649
63.08%
Scott Simmons
Rep.
7,950
36.74%
21,639
5,699
· External links
Political offices
Political offices
Minnesota House of Representatives
Political offices
Minnesota House of Representatives
Preceded byPaul Thissen
Minority Leader of the Minnesota House of Representatives 2017–2019
Succeeded byKurt Daudt
Preceded byLisa Demuth
Minority Leader of the Minnesota House of Representatives 2025
Succeeded byZack Stephenson
Political offices
Preceded byKurt Daudt
Speaker of the Minnesota House of Representatives 2019–2025
Succeeded byLisa Demuth

References

  1. "Minnesota lawmaker Melissa Hortman killed, State Sen. John Hoffman wounded in 'targeted political violence'"
    https://abcnews.go.com/US/2-minnesota-lawmakers-shot-targeted-incident-officials/story?id=122840751
  2. Minnesota Historical Election Archive
    https://mn.electionarchives.lib.umn.edu/candidate/melissa-hortman/
  3. MinnPost
    https://web.archive.org/web/20170622180304/https://www.minnpost.com/politics-policy/2017/04/melissa-hortman-still-isnt-sorry/
  4. MinnPost
    https://www.minnpost.com/state-government/2025/06/her-mirthful-eyes-her-sharp-humor-colleagues-remember-melissa-hortman-assassinated-at-age-55/
  5. Minnesota Legislative Reference Library
    https://www.lrl.mn.gov/legdb/fulldetail?ID=12266
  6. Twin Cities
    https://www.twincities.com/2018/12/29/melissa-hortman-incoming-dfl-leader-of-mn-house-looks-to-set-a-cooperative-tone/
  7. Minnesota Lawyer
    https://minnlawyer.com/2018/11/17/lawyers-take-top-two-house-leadership-posts/
  8. MPR News
    https://blogs.mprnews.org/capitol-view/2018/11/new-house-dfl-leaders-hail-from-suburbs/
  9. Vote Smart
    https://justfacts.votesmart.org/candidate/20295/melissa-hortman#.VQ9egPnF-XA
  10. Gun Owners Civil Rights Alliance
    https://web.archive.org/web/20140708222220/https://www.gocra.org/news/reference/2012-candidate-grades/
  11. Vote Smart
    https://justfacts.votesmart.org/candidate/key-votes/20295/melissa-hortman
  12. "Hortman brings experience, quiet irreverence to speaker's chair"
    https://www.mprnews.org/story/2019/01/04/hortman-brings-experience-quiet-irreverence-to-speakers-chair
  13. www.revisor.mn.gov
    https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/bill.php?b=House&f=HF0729&ssn=0&y=2013
  14. www.revisor.mn.gov
    https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/bill.php?b=House&f=HF956&ssn=0&y=2013
  15. www.house.mn.gov
    https://www.house.mn.gov/members/profile/12266
  16. Minnesota Legislature
    https://www.lrl.mn.gov/history/speakers
  17. MPR News
    https://www.mprnews.org/story/2017/04/04/house-dfl-leader-hortman-slams-white-make-card-game
  18. Harvard Kennedy School
    https://www.hks.harvard.edu/faculty-research/policy-topics/public-leadership-management/melissa-hortman-mcmpa-2018-leads
  19. "Republicans override Simon's adjournment of House, elect Demuth as speaker"
    https://www.kaaltv.com/news/republicans-override-simons-adjournment-of-house-elect-demuth-as-speaker/
  20. St. Cloud Times
    https://www.sctimes.com/story/news/politics/2025/02/06/minnesota-democrats-end-boycott-in-house-demuth-chosen-as-speaker/78295446007/
  21. ABC 6 News - kaaltv.com
    https://www.kaaltv.com/news/minnesota-house-power-sharing-agreement-takes-effect/
  22. "Minnesota Legislature votes to remove undocumented immigrant adults from state health program"
    https://www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/news/minnesota-legislature-undocumented-immigrant-health-care-minnesotacare/
  23. Melissa Hortman for State House
    https://melissahortman.com/about-melissa
  24. Vet clinic reflects on trying to save Melissa Hortman's dog, Gilbert
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lhm5Jaq-7qM
  25. Vet clinic that treated Hortmans' dog is paying it forward
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bVdl9DC5BzE
  26. FOX 9
    https://www.fox9.com/news/brooklyn-park-champlin-shootings-suspect-impersonating-police
  27. The Washington Post
    https://nationalpost.com/news/world/minnesota-lawmakers-shooting-suspect
  28. Associated Press
    https://apnews.com/article/minnesota-lawmakers-shot-d7983e1e4f1a7573a487cab1a98cd172
  29. The Guardian
    https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jun/14/democratic-lawmakers-minnesota-shot
  30. Office of Governor Tim Walz & Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan
    https://mn.gov/governor/assets/06.14.25%20Melissa%20Hortman%20FAHS_tcm1055-693639.pdf
  31. Axios
    https://web.archive.org/web/20250614220932/https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/06/14/vance-boelter-person-of-interest-minnesota-lawmaker-hortman-hoffman
  32. Minnesota Star Tribune
    https://web.archive.org/web/20250614213152/https://www.startribune.com/man-57-named-as-main-suspect-in-assassination-wounding-of-state-lawmakers-spouses/601373135
  33. Wired
    https://web.archive.org/web/20250614200601/https://www.wired.com/story/shooting-minnesota-melissa-hortman-vance-boelter/
  34. CBS News
    https://www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/news/minnesota-dfl-shootings-melissa-horman-suspect-vance-boelter/
  35. NBC News
    https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/klobuchar-says-authorities-believe-suspect-politically-motivated-killi-rcna213118
  36. Fox 9
    https://www.fox9.com/news/vance-boelters-wife-traffic-stop-onamia
  37. United States Department of Justice
    https://www.justice.gov/usao-mn/pr/after-two-day-manhunt-suspect-charged-shooting-two-minnesota-lawmakers-and-their-spouses
  38. Minnesota Reformer
    https://minnesotareformer.com/2025/06/17/children-of-melissa-and-mark-hortman-release-statement-on-their-deaths/
  39. MPR News
    https://www.mprnews.org/story/2025/06/15/photos-memorials-for-rep-melissa-hortman-appear-at-home-capitol
  40. www.congress.gov
    https://www.congress.gov/congressional-record/volume-171/issue-104/senate-section/article/S3442-5
  41. www.congress.gov
    https://www.congress.gov/congressional-record/volume-171/issue-107/house-section/article/H2879-2
  42. C-SPAN
    https://www.c-span.org/program/us-senate/minnesota-senators-on-shootings/661400
  43. C-SPAN
    https://www.c-span.org/program/us-senate/senate-minority-leader-schumer-on-minnesota-lawmaker-shootings/661343
  44. C-SPAN
    https://www.c-span.org/program/us-senate/senate-minority-whip-dick-durbin-on-minnesota-lawmaker-shootings/661338
  45. MPR News
    https://www.mprnews.org/story/2025/06/17/formal-procession-for-rep-melissa-hortman-and-husband-mark
  46. CBS News
    https://www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/news/melissa-mark-hortman-minnesota-state-capitol-candlelight-vigil/
  47. "Slain lawmaker Melissa Hortman, husband Mark, and dog lie in state at Minnesota Capitol"
    https://www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/news/melissa-hortman-mark-hortman-minnesota-captiol-rotunda-lie-in-state/
  48. "Melissa and Mark Hortman to lie in state Friday at the Capitol"
    https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/06/26/hortman-minnesota-capitol-tribute
  49. USA Today
    https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2025/06/24/minnesota-rep-melissa-hortman-husband-dog-lie-in-state/84332613007/
  50. AP News
    https://apnews.com/article/minnesota-lawmakers-shot-funeral-court-date-1558dffabc9bbf087a4e45f9cf868b09
  51. AP News
    https://apnews.com/article/minnesota-lawmakers-shot-funeral-court-date-1558dffabc9bbf087a4e45f9cf868b09
  52. www.house.mn.gov
    https://www.house.mn.gov/sessiondaily/Story/18845
  53. AP News
    https://apnews.com/photo-gallery/melissa-mark-hortman-funeral-9d76b0f939b9a3b65fa05dc15129885a
  54. The Guardian
    https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jun/28/joe-biden-and-kamala-harris-melissa-hortman-funeral-minnesota
  55. NPR
    https://www.npr.org/2025/06/28/g-s1-74962/minnesota-melissa-hortman-funeral-house-speaker
  56. FOX 9
    https://www.fox9.com/news/rep-melissa-hortman-mark-hortman-funeral
  57. KSTP.com 5 Eyewitness News
    https://kstp.com/kstp-news/top-news/hoffman-family-releases-statement-following-funeral-of-melissa-and-mark-hortman/
  58. kare11.com
    https://www.kare11.com/article/news/community/minnesotans-honor-hortmans-community-tree-planting-initiative/89-278f344c-2905-40dc-95fa-7aa23cf73f00
  59. FOX 9
    https://www.fox6now.com/news/rep-melissa-hortman-mark-hortman-funeral
  60. Hoards Dairyman
    https://hoards.com/article-26600-melissa-hortman-named-minnesota-milks-legislator-of-the-year.html
  61. "News and Views from Melissa Hortman (DFL) 47B - Minnesota House of Representatives"
    http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/members/pressrelease.asp?pressid=893&party=1&memid=12266
  62. "Conservation Minnesota Voter Center || Legislative News"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20110727091341/http://www.mnweathercenter.org/score/awards/index.cfm?subsec=97&id=2879
  63. Minnesota Secretary of State
    https://electionresults.sos.mn.gov/results/Index?ErsElectionId=32&scenario=StateRepresentative&DistrictId=448&show=Go
  64. Minnesota Secretary of State
    https://electionresults.sos.mn.gov/results/Index?ErsElectionId=42&scenario=StateRepresentative&DistrictId=448&show=Go
  65. Minnesota Secretary of State
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  66. Minnesota Secretary of State
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  67. Minnesota Secretary of State
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  68. Minnesota Secretary of State
    https://electionresults.sos.mn.gov/results/Index?ErsElectionId=1&scenario=StateRepresentative&DistrictId=426&show=Go
  69. Minnesota Secretary of State
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  70. Minnesota Secretary of State
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  71. Minnesota Secretary of State
    https://electionresults.sos.mn.gov/results/Index?ErsElectionId=115&scenario=StateRepresentative&DistrictId=426&show=Go
  72. Minnesota Secretary of State
    https://electionresults.sos.mn.gov/results/Index?ErsElectionId=136&scenario=StateRepresentative&DistrictId=426&show=Go
  73. Minnesota Secretary of State
    https://electionresults.sos.mn.gov/results/Index?ErsElectionId=149&scenario=StateRepresentative&DistrictId=422&show=Go
  74. Minnesota Secretary of State
    https://electionresults.sos.mn.gov/results/Index?ErsElectionId=170&scenario=StateRepresentative&DistrictId=422&show=Go
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