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Melissa Hortman
Melissa Hortman (Democratic Party) was a member of the Minnesota House of Representatives, representing District 34B. She assumed office on January 3, 2023. She left office on June 14, 2025.
Hortman (Democratic Party) ran for re-election to the Minnesota House of Representatives to represent District 34B. She won in the general election on November 5, 2024.
On June 14, 2025, Hortman and state Sen. John Hoffman (D) were shot at their respective residences. Hortman and her husband died due to their injuries. Hoffman and his wife were taken to the hospital where they underwent surgery. Both Hoffman and his wife survived their injuries. Click here to read more.
Hortman served as Minnesota House speaker from 2019 to 2025. Following the 2024 House elections, the chamber was split 67-67 between Republicans and Democrats. Final control of this chamber was determined by two recounts in both House District 14B and 54A.[1] In a power-sharing agreement on February 6, 2025, between Democratic and Republican leadership, Hortman was named Speaker Emeritus and Party Leader.[2][3]
Hortman attended Boston University from 1988 to 1991, graduating with bachelor's degrees in philosophy and political science.[4] She earned her J.D. from the University of Minnesota Law School in 1995.[4] Hortman earned a Master of Public Administration (MPA) from the Harvard Kennedy School in 2018.[5]
Hortman got her start in politics while in college when she interned for U.S. Sen. Al Gore (D) and served as a legislative correspondent for U.S. Sen. John Kerry (D).[4] Following her graduation from law school, Hortman worked as an attorney.[4] From 1997 to 2000, she ran her own law practice, specializing in housing law and consumer rights.[4] She worked as an assistant attorney with the Hennepin County Attorney's Office from 2013 to 2016.[4][6]
In 1998 and 2002, Hortman ran for a seat in the Minnesota House of Representatives, losing both times.[6] She won election to the House in 2004, defeating Republican Stephanie Olsen 51-49% to represent Minnesota House of Representatives District 36B.[7] Hortman won re-election 11 consecutive times between 2004 and 2024.
Hortman began serving as state House speaker in 2019, after the Democratic Party won a majority of seats in the House for the first time in four years. She previously served as speaker pro tempore and as minority whip.[8] Hortman's past legislative committee experience included serving on the Rules and Legislative Administration Committee.
Hortman made protecting abortion rights a priority as speaker, saying, "as quickly as possible we put into statute a protection for Minnesotans’ reproductive freedoms and their bodily autonomy and their right to make their own health care decisions."Cite error: Closing </ref>
missing for <ref>
tag At the end of the 2024 session, Hortman said, "The most rewarding piece of legislation we passed— for me— is paid family and medical leave."[9] Hortman also said she prioritized legislation that she said protected democracy, including "through pre-registration for 16 and 17 year olds, tougher penalties on intimidating election workers or interfering with elections."[9] Hortman also supported increasing investments in early childhood education.[10][9] Hortman said, "I have no desire for us to be a predominantly suburban- and city-based party. I’m used to being part of a party organization that’s a whole state party and I’m committed to keeping it that way and representing agricultural regions and the Iron Range, in addition to the cities and suburbs."[9]
Biography
Melissa Hortman grew up in Spring Lake Park and Andover and lived in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota. Hortman graduated from Blaine High School. She earned a B.A. in political science and philosophy from Boston University in 1991, a J.D. from the University of Minnesota Law School in 1995, and an M.P.A. from Harvard Kennedy School in 2018. Her career experience included working as an attorney for Central Minnesota Legal Services, for her own private practice, for Rider Bennett, LLP, and for John's Auto Parts. Hortman was also the assistant Hennepin County attorney and the vice president and Minnesota commissioner of the Uniform Law Commission.[11][12]
Committee assignments
Note: This membership information was last updated in September 2023. Ballotpedia completes biannual updates of committee membership. If you would like to send us an update, email us at: editor@ballotpedia.org.
2023-2024 legislative session
At the beginning of the 2021 legislative session, this legislator served on the following committees:
Minnesota committee assignments, 2023 |
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• Rules and Legislative Administration |
2021-2022 legislative session
At the beginning of the 2021 legislative session, this legislator served on the following committees:
Minnesota committee assignments, 2021 |
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• Rules and Legislative Administration |
2019-2020 legislative session
At the beginning of the 2019 legislative session, this legislator served on the following committees:
Minnesota committee assignments, 2019 |
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• Rules and Legislative Administration |
2017-2018 legislative session
At the beginning of the 2017 legislative session, this legislator served on the following committees:
Minnesota committee assignments, 2017 |
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• Rules and Legislative Administration |
2015-2016 legislative session
At the beginning of the 2015 legislative session, Hortman served on the following committees:
Minnesota committee assignments, 2015 |
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• Job Growth and Energy Affordability Policy and Finance |
• Rules and Legislative Administration |
2013-2014
At the beginning of the 2013 legislative session, Hortman served on the following committees:
Minnesota committee assignments, 2013 |
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• Civil Law |
• Commerce and Consumer Protection Finance and Policy |
• Energy Policy, Chair |
• Health and Human Services Finance |
• Judiciary Finance and Policy |
• Rules and Legislative Administration |
2011-2012
In the 2011-2012 legislative session, Hortman served on the following committees:
Minnesota committee assignments, 2011 |
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• Civil Law |
• Redistricting |
• Taxes |
2009-2010
In the 2009-2010 legislative session, Hortman served on the following committees:
Minnesota committee assignments, 2009 |
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• Rules and Legislative Administration |
Sponsored legislation
The following table lists bills this person sponsored as a legislator, according to BillTrack50 and sorted by action history. Bills are sorted by the date of their last action. The following list may not be comprehensive. To see all bills this legislator sponsored, click on the legislator's name in the title of the table.
Elections
2024
See also: Minnesota House of Representatives elections, 2024
General election
General election for Minnesota House of Representatives District 34B
Incumbent Melissa Hortman defeated Scott Simmons in the general election for Minnesota House of Representatives District 34B on November 5, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
✔ | Melissa Hortman (D) | 63.1 | 13,649 | |
Scott Simmons (R) | 36.7 | 7,950 | ||
Other/Write-in votes | 0.2 | 40 |
Total votes: 21,639 | ||||
![]() | ||||
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Democratic primary election
The Democratic primary election was canceled. Incumbent Melissa Hortman advanced from the Democratic primary for Minnesota House of Representatives District 34B.
Republican primary election
The Republican primary election was canceled. Scott Simmons advanced from the Republican primary for Minnesota House of Representatives District 34B.
Campaign finance
Endorsements
Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Hortman in this election.
2022
See also: Minnesota House of Representatives elections, 2022
General election
General election for Minnesota House of Representatives District 34B
Incumbent Melissa Hortman defeated Scott Simmons in the general election for Minnesota House of Representatives District 34B on November 8, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
✔ | Melissa Hortman (D) | 62.5 | 10,469 | |
Scott Simmons (R) | 37.4 | 6,268 | ||
Other/Write-in votes | 0.1 | 19 |
Total votes: 16,756 | ||||
![]() | ||||
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Democratic primary election
The Democratic primary election was canceled. Incumbent Melissa Hortman advanced from the Democratic primary for Minnesota House of Representatives District 34B.
Republican primary election
The Republican primary election was canceled. Scott Simmons advanced from the Republican primary for Minnesota House of Representatives District 34B.
2020
See also: Minnesota House of Representatives elections, 2020
General election
General election for Minnesota House of Representatives District 36B
Incumbent Melissa Hortman defeated Scott Simmons in the general election for Minnesota House of Representatives District 36B on November 3, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
✔ | Melissa Hortman (D) | 60.5 | 15,076 | |
Scott Simmons (R) | 39.4 | 9,828 | ||
Other/Write-in votes | 0.1 | 34 |
Total votes: 24,938 | ||||
![]() | ||||
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. |
Democratic primary election
The Democratic primary election was canceled. Incumbent Melissa Hortman advanced from the Democratic primary for Minnesota House of Representatives District 36B.
Republican primary election
The Republican primary election was canceled. Scott Simmons advanced from the Republican primary for Minnesota House of Representatives District 36B.
Campaign finance
2018
General election
General election for Minnesota House of Representatives District 36B
Incumbent Melissa Hortman defeated Jermain Botsio in the general election for Minnesota House of Representatives District 36B on November 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
✔ | Melissa Hortman (D) | 63.0 | 12,514 | |
Jermain Botsio (R) | 36.8 | 7,302 | ||
Other/Write-in votes | 0.2 | 33 |
Total votes: 19,849 (100.00% precincts reporting) | ||||
![]() | ||||
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. |
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Minnesota House of Representatives District 36B
Incumbent Melissa Hortman advanced from the Democratic primary for Minnesota House of Representatives District 36B on August 14, 2018.
Candidate | ||
✔ | Melissa Hortman |
![]() | ||||
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Republican primary election
Republican primary for Minnesota House of Representatives District 36B
Jermain Botsio advanced from the Republican primary for Minnesota House of Representatives District 36B on August 14, 2018.
Candidate | ||
✔ | Jermain Botsio |
![]() | ||||
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2016
Obama endorsement |
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![]() |
During the 2016 election cycle Hortman was one of the candidates endorsed by President Barack Obama |
Full list of Obama's 2016 endorsements |
Elections for the Minnesota House of Representatives took place in 2016. The primary election took place on August 9, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was May 31, 2016.
Incumbent Melissa Hortman defeated Peter Crema in the Minnesota House of Representatives District 36B general election.[13][14]
Minnesota House of Representatives, District 36B General Election, 2016 | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
Democratic | ![]() |
55.79% | 12,064 | |
Republican | Peter Crema | 44.21% | 9,560 | |
Total Votes | 21,624 | |||
Source: Minnesota Secretary of State |
Incumbent Melissa Hortman ran unopposed in the Minnesota House of Representatives District 36B Democratic primary.[15][16]
Minnesota House of Representatives, District 36B Democratic Primary, 2016 | ||
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Party | Candidate | |
Democratic | ![]() |
Peter Crema ran unopposed in the Minnesota House of Representatives District 36B Republican primary.[15][16]
Minnesota House of Representatives, District 36B Republican Primary, 2016 | ||
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Party | Candidate | |
Republican | ![]() |
2014
Elections for the Minnesota House of Representatives took place in 2014. A primary election was held on August 12, 2014, and a general election took place on November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was June 3, 2014. Incumbent Melissa Hortman was unopposed in the Democratic primary. Peter Crema was unopposed in the Republican primary. Hortman defeated Crema in the general election with 51.9% of the vote.[17][18][19]
2012
Hortman won re-election in the 2012 election for Minnesota House of Representatives District 36B. She was unopposed in the Democratic primary on August 14 and defeated Andrew Reinhardt (R) and Andrew Kratoska (Independence) in the general election on November 6, 2012.[20][21]
2010
Hortman won re-election to the District 47B seat in 2010. She had no primary opposition. She defeated Linda Etim (R) and Don Hallblade (Independence Party of Minnesota) in the general election on November 2, 2010.[22]
Minnesota House of Representatives, District 47B (2010) | ||||
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Candidates | Votes | Percent | ||
![]() |
8,278 | 51.3% | ||
Linda Etim (R) | 7,030 | 42.56% | ||
Don Hallblade (Independence) | 822 | 5.09% | ||
Write-In | 7 | 0.04% |
2008
On November 4, 2008, Hortman won election to the District 47B Seat in the Minnesota House of Representatives, defeating Andrew Reinhardt. [23]
Hortman raised $44,008 for her campaign.[24]
Minnesota House of Representatives, District 47B (2008) | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Candidates | Votes | Percent | ||
![]() |
12,382 | 54.74% | ||
Andrew Reinhardt (R) | 10,187 | 45.04% | ||
Write-In | 50 | 0.22% |
Campaign themes
2024
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Melissa Hortman did not complete Ballotpedia's 2024 Candidate Connection survey.
2022
Melissa Hortman did not complete Ballotpedia's 2022 Candidate Connection survey.
2020
Melissa Hortman did not complete Ballotpedia's 2020 Candidate Connection survey.
Campaign finance summary
Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.
Scorecards
A scorecard evaluates a legislator’s voting record. Its purpose is to inform voters about the legislator’s political positions. Because scorecards have varying purposes and methodologies, each report should be considered on its own merits. For example, an advocacy group’s scorecard may assess a legislator’s voting record on one issue while a state newspaper’s scorecard may evaluate the voting record in its entirety.
Ballotpedia is in the process of developing an encyclopedic list of published scorecards. Some states have a limited number of available scorecards or scorecards produced only by select groups. It is Ballotpedia’s goal to incorporate all available scorecards regardless of ideology or number.
Click here for an overview of legislative scorecards in all 50 states. To contribute to the list of Minnesota scorecards, email suggestions to editor@ballotpedia.org.
2024
To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2024, click [show]. |
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In 2024, the Minnesota State Legislature was in session from February 12 to May 20.
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2023
To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2023, click [show]. |
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In 2023, the Minnesota State Legislature was in session from January 3 to May 22.
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2022
To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2022, click [show]. |
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In 2022, the Minnesota State Legislature was in session from January 31 to May 23.
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2021
To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2021, click [show]. |
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In 2021, the Minnesota State Legislature was in session from January 5 to May 17.
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2020
To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2020, click [show]. |
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In 2020, the Minnesota State Legislature was in session from February 11 to May 17. Special sessions were convened: June 12 to June 19; July 13 to July 21; August 12; September 11; October 12 to October 15; and November 12.
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2019
To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2019, click [show]. |
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In 2019, the Minnesota State Legislature was in session from January 8 through May 20.
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2018
To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2018, click [show]. |
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In 2018, the Minnesota State Legislature was in session from February 20 through May 21.
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2017
To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2017, click [show]. |
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In 2017, the Minnesota State Legislature was in session from January 3 through May 22. The legislature held a special session from May 23 to May 26.
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2016
To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2016, click [show]. |
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In 2016, the Minnesota State Legislature was in session from March 8 through May 23.
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2015
To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2015, click [show]. |
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In 2015, the Minnesota State Legislature was in session from January 6 through May 18.
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2014
To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2014, click [show]. |
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In 2014, the Minnesota State Legislature was in session from February 25 to May 19.
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2013
To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2013, click [show]. |
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In 2013, the Minnesota State Legislature was in session from January 8 to May 20.
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2012
To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2012, click [show]. |
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In 2012, the Minnesota State Legislature was in session from January 24 to May 10.
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2011
To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2011, click [show]. |
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In 2011, the Minnesota State Legislature was in session from January 4 to May 23.
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Notable endorsements
This section displays endorsements this individual made in elections within Ballotpedia's coverage scope.
Noteworthy events
June 14, 2025, shooting
On June 14, 2025, two members of the Minnesota Legislature—state Sen. John Hoffman (D) and state Rep. Melissa Hortman (D)— were shot at their respective residences.[25]
At approximately 2:00 a.m., a man knocked on Hoffman's front door at his residence in Champlin, Minnesota. After Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, answered the door, the man fired multiple shots at them. Following the shooting, the Hoffmans' daughter called the police. After police arrived at the scene, the Hoffmans were taken to the hospital, where they underwent surgery to treat their injuries. The Hoffmans both survived their injuries.[25]
Following the shooting, the man went to state Rep. Kristin Bahner's (D) residence in Maple Grove, Minnesota, at approximately 2:24 a.m. The man left after Bahner—who was not home then—did not answer the door. He then went to state Sen. Ann Rest's (D) residence in New Hope, Minnesota. Police had already dispatched an officer to Rest's residence following the shooting at Hoffman's residence. The man left after the officer attempted to interact with him.[25]
Police also dispatched two officers to Hortman's residence in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota. When the officers arrived at Hortman's residence at 3:30 a.m., they encountered the man leaving. The man fled on foot after exchanging gunfire with police. Both Hortman and her husband Mark were shot and died due to their injuries.[25]
On the day of the shootings, the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension identified Vance Luther Boelter as a suspect.[26] According to The Associated Press' Tim Sullivan and Steve Karnowski, "the attacks sparked the largest manhunt in Minnesota history."[27] On June 15, 2025, at 9:30 p.m., police arrested Boelter near his residence in Green Isle, Minnesota. In total, federal and state prosecutors brought 10 charges against Boelter.[28]
See also
2024 Elections
External links
Candidate Minnesota House of Representatives District 34B |
Personal |
Footnotes
- ↑ Axios, "Battle for control of Minnesota House could result in rare tie, as GOP wins bring end to DFL trifecta," Nov. 6, 2024
- ↑ Minnesota Legislature, "PowerSharingResolution," accessed February 12, 2025
- ↑ MPR News, "‘No-shenanigans handshake’ helps usher in Minnesota House return after prolonged power standoff," May 29, 2025
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 LinkedIn, "Melissa Hortman," accessed May 29, 2025
- ↑ Harvard Kennedy School, "Melissa Hortman MC/MPA 2018 leads as speaker of the Minnesota House of Representatives," May 29, 2025
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Minnesota Legislature, "Hortman, Melissa," May 29, 2025
- ↑ Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon, "Results for STATE REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICT 47B (2004)," accessed May 29, 2025
- ↑ Vote Smart, "Melissa Hortman's Biography," accessed May 29, 2025
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 MinnPost, "Protecting abortion and legalizing cannabis: Speaker Hortman on Minnesota House priorities in the 2023 DFL trifecta," May 29, 2025
- ↑ Cite error: Invalid
<ref>
tag; no text was provided for refs namedminnpost
- ↑ LinkedIn, "Melissa Hortman," accessed March 31, 2023
- ↑ Melissa Hortman 2022 campaign website, "About," accessed March 31, 2023
- ↑ Minnesota Secretary of State, "Candidate Filing Search," accessed August 25, 2016
- ↑ Minnesota Secretary of State, "General election results, 2016," accessed December 19, 2016
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 Minnesota Secretary of State, "Candidate Filings," accessed June 3, 2016
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 Minnesota Secretary of State, "Minnesota State Primary: Tuesday, August 9, 2016," accessed August 9, 2016
- ↑ Minnesota Secretary of State, "2014 General Election Results," accessed November 4, 2014
- ↑ Minnesota Secretary of State, "State Canvassing Board Report," August 19, 2014
- ↑ Minnesota Secretary of State, "2014 State General Election Candidate Filings," accessed July 25, 2014
- ↑ Minnesota Secretary of State, "2012 State General Election Candidate Filings," accessed June 18, 2012
- ↑ Minnesota Secretary of State, "Minnesota State Canvassing Report - State Primary - Tuesday, August 14, 2012," accessed April 23, 2014
- ↑ Minnesota Secretary of State, "2010 Election Results," accessed March 9, 2014
- ↑ Minnesota Secretary of State, "All Races by Legislative District," accessed April 23, 2014
- ↑ Follow the Money's report on Hortman's 2008 campaign contributions
- ↑ 25.0 25.1 25.2 25.3 CBS News, "A full timeline of events in the shootings of 2 Minnesota lawmakers and their spouses," June 16, 2025
- ↑ CBS News, "Manhunt for Vance Boelter, wanted in Minnesota lawmakers' shootings, enters 2nd day," June 15, 2025
- ↑ The Associated Press, "40 hours of violence and fear as gunman stalks Minnesota politicians," June 17, 2025
- ↑ The New York Times, "What We Know About How the Minnesota Assassination Case May Unfold," June 17, 2025
Political offices | ||
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Preceded by Kristin Bahner (D) |
Minnesota House of Representatives District 34B 2023-2025 |
Succeeded by - |
Preceded by - |
Minnesota House of Representatives District 36B 2005-2023 |
Succeeded by Brion Curran (D) |