Biden and Harris Join Thousands Mourning Slain Lawmaker Melissa Hortman and Husband in Minnesota

A moment of grief brought a nation together this weekend as former President Joe Biden and former Vice President Kamala Harris made a solemn visit to Minnesota to pay tribute to a woman who dedicated her life to public service and whose life was tragically cut short.

Thousands gathered at the Minnesota State Capitol Rotunda to honor Melissa Hortman, the longtime state lawmaker and Speaker of the Minnesota House, and her husband Mark Hortman, both of whom were tragically killed in a shocking incident that has left the community stunned.

Biden and Harris, both visibly moved, stood alongside the grieving crowd as they paid their final respects. Draped in American flags, the caskets of Melissa and Mark were placed in the center of the rotunda, where mourners lined up in silence some with flowers, others with tears to say goodbye.

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“Melissa was a fighter. She believed in justice, in people, and in the promise of this country,” Biden said softly to reporters after the service. “Her loss is a loss for all of us.”

Melissa Hortman, 53, was a respected Democrat who championed climate action, women’s rights, and social equity. She had served in the Minnesota House since 2005 and was beloved across party lines for her leadership, honesty, and compassion.

Details about the circumstances of her and her husband’s death remain under investigation, but authorities have confirmed the incident was violent and unexpected sparking shockwaves through political circles and the public alike.

Vice President Harris, who worked closely with Hortman on national policy discussions, called her “a bold, kind, and courageous leader” who left behind “a legacy that cannot be erased.”

The tragedy has sparked not only mourning, but also deep conversations about public safety and the sacrifices made by public servants.

As the sun set over St. Paul, candles flickered outside the Capitol steps, held by those who came not just to remember a lawmaker but to mourn the loss of two lives that were full of purpose, love, and unfinished dreams.

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