Melissa Hortman (May 27, 1970 – June 14, 2025) was an American politician and lawyer who served as the 61st speaker of the Minnesota House of Representatives from 2019 to 2025. She was a member of the Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party (DFL) and represented northern parts of the Twin Cities metropolitan area from 2005 until her assassination in 2025. Before serving as speaker, she was the House minority leader from 2017 to 2019. Hortman was known for advocating transportation, environmental rights, abortion rights, police reform, and gun control policies. She was the chief author of Minnesota's solar energy standard and community solar laws. Hortman was born in Fridley, Minnesota, and grew up in Spring Lake Park and Andover. She was interested in politics from a young age, graduated magna cum laude with a BA in philosophy and political science from Boston University, earned a JD cum laude from the University of Minnesota Law School, and a Master in Public Administration from Harvard Kennedy School. She was elected to the Minnesota House in 2004 and was reelected continuously. Her tenure included leadership roles such as assistant majority leader, minority whip, and speaker pro tempore. She advocated for key issues including the Northstar Commuter Rail, environmental issues, and was pro-choice. She also played a role in passing police reform legislation in 2020. Tragically, Melissa Hortman and her husband were fatally shot in their home in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, on June 14, 2025, in what was described as a politically motivated assassination. She was widely respected as a wise, compassionate, and brilliant public servant who left a significant impact on Minnesota politics and policies.
