Friend, please sit tight. I am about to share a lot — none of it easy.
As you may know, early Saturday morning, a masked attacker shot two elected officials and their spouses in a politically motivated attack here in Minnesota.
But they weren’t just people, they were my friends.
I’m mourning the devastating loss of my friend Melissa, whom you all now know as Speaker Hortman and her devoted husband Mark. Two children lost their mom and dad. I lost a dear friend. Minnesota lost a passionate fighter who undoubtedly made all our lives better.
Melissa was a leader’s leader. What does that mean? It means she was her authentic self and brought us all in and along. With heart, grit, sarcasm, and lots of swears. Yet what I think I’ll miss most is catching up with her over chips and margaritas. I am so heart wrenchingly sad that she was taken from us.
I’m a prayer first kinda gal and that’s what I’ve been doing since I heard that Senator John Hoffman and his wife Yvette might survive this brutal attack – I share, with deep gratitude, that things are looking up. They are dear and good people so if you have prayers to spare, please send them their way.
And now, our law enforcement officers. Over the last 48 hours my awe for their dedication and bravery has only grown. I am deeply grateful to the men and women who worked around the clock to track this murderer down.
I remain outraged that we live in a country where this level of violence is occurring to the extent where it is practically commonplace. And for what purpose?
What I know is that we will not become intimidated by this act of terrorism. This will not stop me and it should not stop you. We must keep fighting for all of the values that Melissa held so dear.
Thanks for standing with me.
💚 Peggy
