John,

This is the darkest of days for Minnesota, as we all seek to recover from an ugly rampage of politically targeted violence and murder. It’s an unspeakably sad time for the Hortman and Hoffman families, and for our democracy.

Melissa Hortman was my good friend. We went to law school together. We were elected the same year to the Minnesota House of Representatives, where we collaborated closely on many issues for many years. She and her husband Mark attended my wedding.

I’m just numb about their deaths. I pray for their children, parents, and family. Their assassination is not just a personal loss, but a loss to Minnesota.

Melissa Hortman was the best of us. She was one of the most extraordinary public servants I’ve ever known. She was smart, savvy, strategic, kind, funny, brave, and determined. There will never be another leader like her.

I pray also for Senator John and Yvette Hoffman, both of whom are friends. May they recover quickly and fully from their devastating injuries.

There’s another victim of today’s senseless shootings: Democracy itself.

Political violence is unacceptable. To perpetrate it, encourage it, or pretend to ignore it will only poison our democracy. We cannot go on like this as a state or nation. We must re-commit to resolving our political differences peacefully, lawfully, and ultimately through the ballot box.

Steve

PS: I spoke about this terrible loss on MSNBC. If you'd like to watch, please click here.