Two Democratic members of the Minnesota legislature were shot at their respective homes. State Senator John Hoffman was primary’d in Champlin, and State Representative Melissa Hortman was primary’d in Brooklyn Park—all suburbs of the Minneapolis metropolitan area. These incidents have caused shockwaves, signifying a booming wave of political violence throughout the United States.
Former Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has exchanged this years-long crisis with the still lively hum and uncertainty over George Floyd told. As a Democratic-Farmer-Labor party member, he said that these violent attacks on our public servants were enough to cause him great alarm. The governor’s office has shown interest, and has told us that it is watching closely to see how the case develops.
Local news stations confirmed that both Hoffman and Hortman sustained injuries during the attacks, prompting swift reactions from community leaders and law enforcement. Officials have not released any further details about the context or motive for those shootings. Nevertheless, they’re as deeply committed to getting to the bottom of these incidents.
Political violence has crested this year in the United States. These and other survey data show a tragic trend that must be addressed. A new survey from the University of Chicago finds this extreme partisanship has led to increased political violence. Americans don’t want any of this—especially Americans of color. This yearning reflects a deeper yearning among citizens for a political climate that is civil—one where the rules of engagement are respectful.
In response to the shootings, Governor Walz has scheduled a press conference for Saturday morning to provide more information and address public concerns. A safety press conference will help constituents feel confident that the new safety improvements will keep them safe. It will look at how these violent acts shape the political landscape.
Whether the incident with Hoffman or that of Hortman again, lawmakers and constituents—a members of both parties—have expressed anger, disappointment, and horror over these attacks. Far too many are virtue signaling to the victims and survivors while advocating for greater security protections for those elected to represent constituents.