Father’s Day

Today, on Father's Day, our hearts are heavy as we confront an unspeakable tragedy that has shaken not only Minnesota but our entire nation. The assassination of Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark, along with the attempted assassination of State Senator John Hoffman and his wife Yvette, represents an attack on the very foundation of our democracy.

As we observe Father's Day, we are painfully aware that children are now without their parents, and a daughter fights alongside her father and mother as they recover from their injuries. These families—who dedicated their lives to public service—now face an unimaginable loss and trauma that no family should ever endure.

Political violence has absolutely no place in our society. When we attack our elected officials, we attack the democratic process itself and the communities they serve. Representative Hortman devoted over two decades to serving her constituents, rising to Speaker of the Minnesota House. Senator Hoffman has similarly dedicated his career to public service. They, like all public servants, deserved to feel safe in their homes with their families.

With the suspect still at large, we urge all residents to remain vigilant and follow guidance from law enforcement. Please prioritize your safety and that of your families during this critical time. Report any suspicious activity to authorities immediately.

Today's tragedy reminds us that leadership requires us to stand firmly against hatred and violence, regardless of political affiliation. We must protect not only our democratic institutions but also the human beings who step forward to serve their communities, often at great personal sacrifice.

As we move forward, we must recommit ourselves to civil discourse, to finding common ground, and to solving our challenges through dialogue rather than violence. We must create a political environment where public servants and their families can feel secure, where children don't lose their parents to senseless acts of political violence, and where Father's Day—and every day—is a time for families to be together safely.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the Hortman and Hoffman families during this incredibly difficult time.We call upon all leaders and citizens to condemn political violence in all its forms and to work together to ensure that such tragedies never happen again.

In service and solidarity,
Jazz Hampton