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Melissa Hortman

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Melissa Hortman
Image of Melissa Hortman
Prior offices
Minnesota House of Representatives District 36B
Successor: Brion Curran

Minnesota House of Representatives District 34B
Predecessor: Kristin Bahner

Education

Bachelor's

Boston University, 1991

Graduate

Harvard University, John F. Kennedy School of Government, 2018

Law

University of Minnesota Law School, 1995

Personal
Religion
Christian: Catholic
Profession
Attorney
Contact

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:

2021-2022 legislative session

At the beginning of the 2021 legislative session, this legislator served on the following committees:

2019-2020 legislative session

At the beginning of the 2019 legislative session, this legislator served on the following committees:

2017-2018 legislative session

At the beginning of the 2017 legislative session, this legislator served on the following committees:

2015-2016 legislative session

At the beginning of the 2015 legislative session, Hortman served on the following committees:

2013-2014

At the beginning of the 2013 legislative session, Hortman served on the following committees:

2011-2012

In the 2011-2012 legislative session, Hortman served on the following committees:

2009-2010

In the 2009-2010 legislative session, Hortman served on the following committees:

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
Image of Melissa Hortman
Melissa Hortman (D)
 
63.1
 
13,649
Image of Scott Simmons
Scott Simmons (R)
 
36.7
 
7,950
 Other/Write-in votes
 
0.2
 
40

Total votes: 21,639
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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.

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
Image of Melissa Hortman
Melissa Hortman (D)
 
62.5
 
10,469
Image of Scott Simmons
Scott Simmons (R)
 
37.4
 
6,268
 Other/Write-in votes
 
0.1
 
19

Total votes: 16,756
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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 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
Image of Melissa Hortman
Melissa Hortman (D)
 
60.5
 
15,076
Image of Scott Simmons
Scott Simmons (R)
 
39.4
 
9,828
 Other/Write-in votes
 
0.1
 
34

Total votes: 24,938
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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

See also: Minnesota House of Representatives elections, 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
Image of Melissa Hortman
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)
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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
Image of Melissa Hortman
Melissa Hortman

Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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.

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 Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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.

2016

Obama endorsement
Obama template image.jpg
During the 2016 election cycle Hortman was one of the candidates endorsed by President Barack Obama

Full list of Obama's 2016 endorsements
See also: Minnesota House of Representatives elections, 2016

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 Green check mark transparent.png Melissa Hortman Incumbent 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
Party Candidate
    Democratic Green check mark transparent.png Melissa Hortman Incumbent (unopposed)


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
Party Candidate
    Republican Green check mark transparent.png Peter Crema  (unopposed)

2014

See also: Minnesota House of Representatives elections, 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]

Minnesota House of Representatives, District 36B General Election, 2014
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Democratic Green check mark transparent.pngMelissa Hortman Incumbent 51.9% 7,407
     Republican Peter Crema 48% 6,851
     Write-in Write-in 0.1% 14
Total Votes 14,272

2012

See also: Minnesota House of Representatives elections, 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]

Minnesota House of Representatives, District 36B, General Election, 2012
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Democratic Green check mark transparent.pngMelissa Hortman Incumbent 55.3% 11,679
     Republican Andrew Reinhardt 40.5% 8,555
     Independence Andrew Kratoska 4.2% 891
Total Votes 21,125

2010

See also: Minnesota House of Representatives elections, 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)
Candidates Votes Percent
Green check mark transparent.png Melissa Hortman (DFL) 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
Green check mark transparent.png Melissa Hortman (DFL) 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.


Melissa Hortman campaign contribution history
YearOfficeStatusContributionsExpenditures
2024* Minnesota House of Representatives District 34BWon general$136,284 $163,614
2022Minnesota House of Representatives District 34BWon general$132,672 $133,863
2020Minnesota House of Representatives District 36BWon general$109,489 N/A**
2018Minnesota House of Representatives District 36BWon general$107,851 N/A**
2016Minnesota House of Representatives, District 36bWon $76,340 N/A**
2014Minnesota State House, District 36BWon $51,333 N/A**
2012Minnesota State House, District 36BWon $29,153 N/A**
2010Minnesota State House, District 47BWon $28,607 N/A**
2008Minnesota State House, District 47BWon $44,008 N/A**
2006Minnesota State House, District 47BWon $58,452 N/A**
2004Minnesota State House, District 47BWon $34,830 N/A**
2002Minnesota State House, District 47BLost $30,848 N/A**
1998Minnesota State House, District 48ALost $18,869 N/A**
** Data on expenditures is not available for this election cycle
Note: Totals above reflect only available data.

Scorecards

See also: State legislative scorecards and State legislative scorecards in Minnesota

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


2023


2022


2021


2020


2019


2018


2017


2016


2015


2014


2013


2012


2011

Notable endorsements

See also: Ballotpedia: Our approach to covering endorsements

This section displays endorsements this individual made in elections within Ballotpedia's coverage scope.

Notable candidate endorsements by Melissa Hortman
EndorseeElectionStageOutcome
Amy Klobuchar  source President of the United States (2020) Withdrew in Convention

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


External links

Footnotes

  1. Axios, "Battle for control of Minnesota House could result in rare tie, as GOP wins bring end to DFL trifecta," Nov. 6, 2024
  2. Minnesota Legislature, "PowerSharingResolution," accessed February 12, 2025
  3. MPR News, "‘No-shenanigans handshake’ helps usher in Minnesota House return after prolonged power standoff," May 29, 2025
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 LinkedIn, "Melissa Hortman," accessed May 29, 2025
  5. Harvard Kennedy School, "Melissa Hortman MC/MPA 2018 leads as speaker of the Minnesota House of Representatives," May 29, 2025
  6. 6.0 6.1 Minnesota Legislature, "Hortman, Melissa," May 29, 2025
  7. Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon, "Results for STATE REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICT 47B (2004)," accessed May 29, 2025
  8. Vote Smart, "Melissa Hortman's Biography," accessed May 29, 2025
  9. 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
  10. Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named minnpost
  11. LinkedIn, "Melissa Hortman," accessed March 31, 2023
  12. Melissa Hortman 2022 campaign website, "About," accessed March 31, 2023
  13. Minnesota Secretary of State, "Candidate Filing Search," accessed August 25, 2016
  14. Minnesota Secretary of State, "General election results, 2016," accessed December 19, 2016
  15. 15.0 15.1 Minnesota Secretary of State, "Candidate Filings," accessed June 3, 2016
  16. 16.0 16.1 Minnesota Secretary of State, "Minnesota State Primary: Tuesday, August 9, 2016," accessed August 9, 2016
  17. Minnesota Secretary of State, "2014 General Election Results," accessed November 4, 2014
  18. Minnesota Secretary of State, "State Canvassing Board Report," August 19, 2014
  19. Minnesota Secretary of State, "2014 State General Election Candidate Filings," accessed July 25, 2014
  20. Minnesota Secretary of State, "2012 State General Election Candidate Filings," accessed June 18, 2012
  21. Minnesota Secretary of State, "Minnesota State Canvassing Report - State Primary - Tuesday, August 14, 2012," accessed April 23, 2014
  22. Minnesota Secretary of State, "2010 Election Results," accessed March 9, 2014
  23. Minnesota Secretary of State, "All Races by Legislative District," accessed April 23, 2014
  24. Follow the Money's report on Hortman's 2008 campaign contributions
  25. 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
  26. CBS News, "Manhunt for Vance Boelter, wanted in Minnesota lawmakers' shootings, enters 2nd day," June 15, 2025
  27. The Associated Press, "40 hours of violence and fear as gunman stalks Minnesota politicians," June 17, 2025
  28. The New York Times, "What We Know About How the Minnesota Assassination Case May Unfold," June 17, 2025

Political offices
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)


Current members of the Minnesota House of Representatives
Leadership
Speaker of the House:Lisa Demuth
Majority Leader:Harry Niska
Representatives
District 1A
District 1B
District 2A
District 2B
District 3A
District 3B
District 4A
District 4B
Jim Joy (R)
District 5A
District 5B
District 6A
Ben Davis (R)
District 6B
District 7A
District 7B
District 8A
District 8B
District 9A
District 9B
District 10A
District 10B
District 11A
District 11B
District 12A
District 12B
District 13A
District 13B
District 14A
District 14B
District 15A
District 15B
District 16A
District 16B
District 17A
District 17B
District 18A
District 18B
District 19A
District 19B
District 20A
District 20B
District 21A
District 21B
District 22A
District 22B
District 23A
District 23B
District 24A
District 24B
District 25A
Kim Hicks (D)
District 25B
District 26A
District 26B
District 27A
District 27B
District 28A
District 28B
Max Rymer (R)
District 29A
District 29B
District 30A
District 30B
District 31A
District 31B
District 32A
District 32B
District 33A
District 33B
District 34A
District 34B
Vacant
District 35A
District 35B
District 36A
District 36B
District 37A
District 37B
District 38A
District 38B
District 39A
District 39B
District 40A
District 40B
District 41A
District 41B
District 42A
District 42B
District 43A
District 43B
District 44A
District 44B
District 45A
District 45B
District 46A
District 46B
District 47A
District 47B
Ethan Cha (D)
District 48A
Jim Nash (R)
District 48B
District 49A
District 49B
District 50A
District 50B
District 51A
District 51B
District 52A
Liz Reyer (D)
District 52B
District 53A
District 53B
District 54A
District 54B
District 55A
District 55B
District 56A
District 56B
John Huot (D)
District 57A
District 57B
District 58A
District 58B
District 59A
Fue Lee (D)
District 59B
District 60A
District 60B
District 61A
District 61B
District 62A
District 62B
District 63A
District 63B
District 64A
District 64B
District 65A
District 65B
District 66A
District 66B
District 67A
Liz Lee (D)
District 67B
Jay Xiong (D)
Republican Party (67)
Democratic Party (66)
Vacancies (1)