Biden, Harris And Walz Attend Funeral For Minnesota Politician Melissa Hortman And Husband After Fatal Shooting

Biden, Harris And Walz Attend Funeral For Minnesota Politician Melissa Hortman And Husband After Fatal Shooting

Minneapolis, June 28, 2025 — Former President Joe Biden, former Vice President Kamala Harris, and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz joined more than 1,000 mourners this weekend to pay their respects at the funeral of former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, who were tragically assassinated at their home on June 14.

A Solemn Gathering

The private service was held at the Basilica of Saint Mary in Minneapolis. While neither Biden nor Harris spoke, they sat in the front row alongside Governor Walz and his wife Gwen. The trio was later photographed holding hands during the Lord’s Prayer and embracing during the "passing of the peace."

Rhode to the basilica, attendees included lawmakers across party lines, longtime colleagues, friends, and many of Hortman’s Capitol aides who admired her for relentless advocacy and collegial spirit.

Remembering a Legacy

Governor Walz delivered a moving eulogy, calling someone he described as "the most consequential speaker in Minnesota history" a close friend and mentor. He praised Melissa’s forceful yet respectful leadership style:

“She certainly knew how to get her way … but she never made anyone feel that they’d gotten rolled at a negotiating table.”

Walz urged attendees to honor the couple’s example by restoring humanity to politics:

“Maybe this is a moment when each of us can recommit to engaging … the way Mark and Melissa did — fiercely, enthusiastically, heartily, but without ever losing sight of our common humanity.”

A Life of Service

Melissa Hortman, first elected in 2004, served as House Speaker from 2019 until January 2025 and was widely respected for championing progressive reforms, including free school lunches, abortion rights, transgender protections, clean energy, and public transportation measures.

Her tenure saw a rare power-sharing agreement in a 67–67–split legislature, where she nonetheless facilitated a timely state budget.

Mark Hortman, a dedicated public servant and loving husband and father, worked as a program manager and was known for his warmth, sense of humor, home-baked cakes, and hospitality. The couple was survived by their children, Sophie and Colin.

Honoring in Every Way

The day before the funeral, the pair—along with their golden retriever, Gilbert—lay in state at the Minnesota Capitol rotunda. Melissa became the first woman and Mark the first non-military civilian to receive the honor; Gilbert’s casket lay alongside theirs. An estimated 7,500 people visited—including President Biden—paying tribute to their contributions and service.

Gilbert, gravely wounded in the attack and later euthanized, had become a symbol of the family's loving spirit.

The Suspect & Political Violence

Authorities say 57‑year-old Vance Boelter, posing as a police officer, executed a politically motivated attack—also targeting State Senator John Hoffman and his wife—who survived following surgery. Prosecutors characterized the assault as an assassination, and books found in Boelter’s possession included lists of Democratic lawmakers and abortion-rights advocates. He is charged in both state and federal courts and faces the death penalty.

A Call for Healing

In his sermon at the funeral, Rev. Daniel Griffith lamented the eruption of political violence:

“…we are the ground-zero place for political violence and extremism. Both of these must be decried … as they are … a threat to human dignity and indeed, our democracy.”

He emphasized Minnesota's role as a beacon for restoration, justice, and communal healing.

What Comes Next

Vance Boelter appeared in federal court on Friday and is scheduled to return next Thursday as prosecutors pursue federal charges. The family held a private burial ceremony following the public service.

Bottom line: Saturday’s funeral reflected a mournful yet resolute illumination of the Hortmans’ legacy—marked by justice, compassion, and principled public service. In a country grappling with rising political violence, their story resonates as a stark reminder of both democracy’s fragility and the unyielding power of unity.

MinneapoliMedia