St. Paul Reporter

Minnesota State Representative Nathan Nelson has issued a statement addressing the recent assassination of Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, as well as the shooting of Senator John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette. The incident occurred early Saturday morning at the homes of Minnesota legislators.

Nelson described the moment he received news of the attacks. He said that details were initially scarce and that legislators were advised to remain vigilant and in contact with local authorities. "Then the unthinkable was confirmed: our colleague and friend Melissa Hortman and her husband had been murdered in their home. It didn’t feel real. It still doesn’t," Nelson wrote.

Throughout Saturday, legislators communicated with each other to check on safety and tried to process the unfolding events. Nelson noted that while his family is safe, many others are not, leaving families across Minnesota heartbroken.

By Sunday evening, authorities had taken a suspect into custody. "Much has been shared about him since, and while I won’t go into further detail here, I hope justice will be served swiftly and completely," Nelson stated.

Sunday also marked Father’s Day for Nelson’s family, who gathered together as planned despite recent events. He reflected on families affected by violence: "I thought of the families who will never again gather whole—of children who won’t get to laugh with their parents, of spouses whose seats are now empty."

Nelson emphasized the sense of community among state legislators: "When I think about the legislature, I don’t just see 67 Senators and 134 Representatives—I see 201 people who, over time, become something like a family." He recalled memories of working with Hortman: "She had a sharp mind, a big heart, and a great sense of humor... That was Melissa—sharp, witty, and always aware of the bigger picture."

Calling for unity in response to division within society, Nelson highlighted social media's role in deepening divides: "Too often, we only hear the voices we already agree with. We lose the ability to be challenged, to grow, and to listen with an open heart."

He urged action beyond rhetoric: "Speaker Hortman’s legacy deserves more than silence or political rhetoric. It deserves action—real action—in how we speak to one another, treat one another, and carry ourselves forward from here."

Nelson concluded by encouraging continued support for those affected: "Please continue to keep the Hortman and Hoffman families in your prayers. And please continue to reach out, to care for your neighbors, and to lead with love."