East Bethel Residents Demand Council Member's Resignation Following Controversial Comments

East Bethel Residents Demand Council Member's Resignation Following Controversial Comments

By MinneapoliMedia Staff | June 20, 2025

EAST BETHEL, MN — Outraged residents of East Bethel are intensifying calls for the resignation of City Council Member Suzanne Erkel after a series of controversial social media posts following the assassinations of State Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark Hortman. The demand for Erkel's immediate departure is set to be a focal point of the next East Bethel City Council meeting, scheduled for Monday, June 23, at 7:00 PM at East Bethel City Hall.

The controversy ignited on Saturday, June 14, just hours after the tragic discovery of the Hortmans' bodies in their Brooklyn Park home. Erkel allegedly posted comments on social media implying that the murder of Representative Hortman was "a warning to all Democrats, town the line or else." These remarks quickly drew widespread condemnation for seemingly celebrating political violence and promoting unfounded conspiracy theories linking the Democratic party to the attack, which law enforcement has firmly attributed to Vance Luther Boelter, a politically motivated assailant.

Boelter has been charged with two counts of second-degree intentional murder for the Hortmans' deaths and two counts of second-degree attempted intentional murder for the shootings of Senator John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette Hoffman, earlier the same night. Authorities have stated that Boelter, a self-proclaimed right-wing extremist, had a "hit list" of 45 elected officials, primarily Democrats and abortion rights advocates.

East Bethel residents, alongside many across Minnesota, view Erkel's comments as deeply insensitive, irresponsible, and a dangerous incitement to further division and potential violence. Numerous individuals have taken to social media, contacted local news outlets, and reached out directly to East Bethel city officials, including Mayor Ardie Anderson and other council members, to express their outrage and demand accountability.

"Her comments are beyond reprehensible," stated lifelong East Bethel resident Sarah Miller. "To suggest that the murder of a state representative was a 'warning' is not only a blatant disregard for human life but also an attack on our democracy. She needs to resign immediately."

Another resident, Mark Gimbel, who has previously voiced concerns about transparency within the city council, echoed the sentiment. "An elected official, especially in these turbulent times, has a responsibility to foster unity, not sow discord and promote dangerous narratives. Council Member Erkel has failed in that duty."

According to the City of East Bethel's official website, Suzanne Erkel's term as a city council member is set to end on December 31, 2028. The City of East Bethel operates under a Council-Administrator form of government, with a five-member city council including the mayor, all elected at large.

The upcoming council meeting is expected to see a significant public turnout, with residents planning to utilize the public forum portion of the agenda to directly address Council Member Erkel and call for her resignation. It remains to be seen how the City Council, including Mayor Anderson and council members Tim Miller, Brian Mundle, and Jim Smith, will address the growing pressure from their constituents.

MinneapoliMedia reached out to Council Member Suzanne Erkel for comment but has not yet received a response. Her publicly available contact information, including an email address and phone number, has been widely circulated online by those demanding her resignation.

MinneapoliMedia