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Dear Friends,
It’s hard to put into words the shock and heartbreak that hit our state this past weekend. What happened was a senseless act of violence that has left families grieving, communities shaken, and many of us searching for answers. We lost Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark. Senator John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, were also seriously injured and are still in the hospital. We’ve since learned that other public servants, including Representative Kristin Bahner and Senator Ann Rest, were also targeted.
Melissa was more than a public servant; she was a wife, a mother of two, and a deeply committed Minnesotan. Her children, Sophie and Colin, asked us to honor their parents’ legacy by doing “something, whether big or small, to make our community just a little better for someone else.” That message is a powerful reminder of the difference each of us can make.
While this situation may feel surreal to many Minnesotans, the pain is very real for the friends, family members, neighbors, and colleagues left behind. The effects of this tragedy are deeply felt, and now more than ever, we need to show what it means to be Minnesotan. Look out for one another, support those around you, and do what you can to make your community a little brighter.
On Wednesday night, there was a candlelight vigil to remember Melissa and Mark. Hundreds came to the Capitol as neighbors, colleagues, and friends to stand shoulder to shoulder and reflect on the lives lost and the path forward. It was a reminder of who we are at our best: people who show up, care deeply, and support each other in times of pain.
I ask you to keep the Hoffman family in your prayers as they begin what will be a long and difficult recovery. Friends and coworkers at Fernbrook Elementary have launched a GoFundMe to help with medical expenses. If you’re in a position to give, your support would mean a great deal.
Thank you,
Representative Bidal Duran, 2A
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