Minnesota Democratic Lawmakers Shot in Politically Motivated Attacks

John Hoffman is an American politician and member of the Minnesota Senate, representing District 34 in the Twin Cities metropolitan area. Born on January 17, 1965, in Casper, Wyoming, Hoffman is affiliated with the Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party (DFL). He was first elected to the Senate in 2012 and has been reelected through 2022, currently serving his fourth term. Hoffman has held leadership roles including minority whip from 2017 to 2020 and currently chairs the Human Services Committee. His legislative focus emphasizes disability services, children's needs, and human services. Prior to the Senate, he served on the Anoka-Hennepin School District Board and worked with children and families in various public and nonprofit roles, including positions with the Iowa Department of Human Services and the PACER Center, a respected parent training organization. Hoffman has been recognized for his public service with several awards, such as the Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Legislator of the Year and the Guardian of Small Business Award. He resides in Champlin, Minnesota, with his wife and daughter. In 2025, Hoffman and his wife were victims of a spree shooting; both were hospitalized, while another lawmaker involved did not survive[3][4][7][8]. Separately, John Hoffman is also known as a screenwriter, producer, and director in the entertainment industry. Born in Brooklyn, New York, and raised near Columbus, Ohio, he transitioned from acting to screenwriting after moving to Los Angeles in 1991. His screenwriting credits include films like "Indianapolis" and "The Last of Sheila." Hoffman made his writing/directing debut with the MGM/Jim Henson Pictures film "Good Boy" (2003). He is notably the co-creator, executive producer, writer, and director of the Hulu series "Only Murders in the Building," which has received critical acclaim and multiple Emmy nominations, including one win among 20 total nominations[1][5][6]. These are two distinct individuals named John Hoffman, each notable in their respective fields of politics and entertainment.

Melissa Hortman (born May 27, 1970) was a prominent American politician and longtime member of the Minnesota House of Representatives, representing northern Twin Cities districts since 2005. A member of the Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party (DFL), she served as Speaker of the Minnesota House from 2019 until her death in 2025 and was the DFL Leader at that time. Hortman was widely regarded as one of the most influential and consequential speakers in the state's history, known for her savvy political leadership and dedication to progressive policy reforms[1][3][6]. Hortman grew up in Anoka County, Minnesota, graduating from Blaine High School in 1988. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree magna cum laude in Political Science and Philosophy from Boston University in 1991, a Juris Doctor cum laude from the University of Minnesota Law School in 1995, and a Master’s degree from Harvard Kennedy School in 2018. Before her legislative career, she worked for U.S. Senators Al Gore and John Kerry and practiced law[1][4][6][7]. Throughout her career, Hortman championed issues such as environmental protection, clean energy, transportation infrastructure, education funding, gun safety, and social justice. Under her leadership, Minnesota enacted landmark laws expanding abortion protections, LGBTQ+ rights, climate goals, police accountability reforms, paid family leave, universal school meals, recreational marijuana legalization, and voting rights expansion. She was noted for her ability to forge bipartisan agreements, including a budget deal involving health care for undocumented adults[2][3]. Hortman was deeply involved in her community, volunteering in schools, teaching Sunday school, serving on local commissions, and fostering service dogs. She lived in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, with her husband Mark and their two children. Tragically, Melissa Hortman and her husband were fatally shot in a politically motivated assassination at their home in June 2025, an event that shocked Minnesota and the nation[1][2][3][4]. Her legacy is remembered for transformative leadership, advocacy for Minnesotans’ rights, and her compassionate public service.