‘Heartbroken and outraged’: Utah Democrats mourn attacks on their Minnesota colleagues

The attacks on two prominent Minnesota state lawmakers and their spouses, leaving two wounded and two dead in a “politically motivated assassination,” sent shockwaves across the country, including in Utah.

House Democratic-Farmer-Labor caucus leader Melissa Hortman, who the Minnesota Reformer called one of the state’s most influential elected officials of the past decade, was shot and killed alongside her husband in their home overnight Saturday by a man impersonating a police officer. 

An emotional Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz called the deaths a “politically motivated assassination,” mourning Hortman as a “formidable public servant” and a dear friend.

Democratic Sen. John Hoffman and his wife were also shot multiple times earlier in the evening in their home. Walz said that following surgery, there is cautious optimism they will recover.

Minnesota House Democratic leader dead after ‘politically motivated assassination’

In Utah, Democratic legislative leaders said they are “heartbroken and outraged by the targeted political violence” against Hortman, Hoffman and their families.

“As leaders, we had the opportunity to work with Representative Melissa Hortman. Representative Hortman was a strong voice for equity, environmental justice, and the most vulnerable in her state. She was a fierce advocate for reproductive rights and for all Minnesotans. Her loss is immeasurable,” Senate Minority Leader Luz Escamilla and House Minority Leader Angela Romero, both Salt Lake Democrats, said in a joint statement Saturday.

Escamilla and Romero offered their condolences to the Minnesota lawmakers’ families, loved ones and legislative colleagues, and denounced political violence and hate.

“No one, elected or not, should ever fear for their safety when expressing their beliefs or serving their communities. We urge leaders at every level to recognize the tragedy of this moment and commit to deflating divisive and harmful rhetoric in our communities,” Escamilla and Romero’s statement said.

An additional statement from the Utah Senate Democratic Caucus echoed that message, while honoring the work that Hortman and Hoffman did in office.

“These legislators fiercely advocated for their constituents with a strong and courageous voice for equity, equality and accurate representation,” their statement said.

In a post on X, Utah Republican Gov. Spencer Cox called the shooting “a heartbreaking reminder of what happens when we allow hatred to replace our shared humanity.”

“In a free society, disagreement is inevitable. Violence is not. We must recommit to the virtues that hold us together—and to the conviction that every person, regardless of politics, deserves our respect,” Cox wrote. 

The message from Utah Senate President Stuart Adams, R-Layton, was similar, saying: “This is a profoundly sad day, not just for Minnesota but for our entire nation. This senseless act of violence is unacceptable. We may not always agree, but violence is never the answer. My prayers are with the families, friends and colleagues affected by this horrific event.”