Senator John A. Hoffman Announces Return to the Minnesota Senate on February 17

Champlin, MN 

Minnesota State Senator John A. Hoffman announced Monday that he will return to the Minnesota Senate when lawmakers reconvene on February 17, marking a significant personal and professional milestone following months of recovery and reflection with his family after surviving an attempted assassination.

Hoffman, a Democrat representing Senate District 34, said the decision to return was shaped as much by gratitude as by purpose. In a statement released from his Champlin-area district, he emphasized the breadth of support his family received during his recovery and the clarity the experience brought to his public service.

“The support my family and I have received over these past months has been extraordinary,” Hoffman said. “From neighbors and friends to colleagues, advocates, faith leaders, and constituents across Minnesota, the kindness, prayers, and encouragement we were shown carried us through one of the most difficult chapters of our lives. That generosity of spirit is what brings me back to this work with renewed purpose.”

A Return Shaped by Perspective

Hoffman described the experience of surviving an attempted assassination as life-altering, one that stripped away distractions and sharpened his understanding of responsibility and service.

“Surviving an attempted assassination changes how you see the world,” he said. “It strips away noise and reminds you what truly matters; family, community, and the responsibility we have to one another. It put everything into perspective and reaffirmed why I chose public service in the first place: to make life safer, more stable, and more dignified for the people we serve.”

He stressed that his return is voluntary and intentional. “I am coming back not because I feel compelled, but because I feel called,” Hoffman said. “The support we received did not just help us heal; it strengthened my resolve to continue working on behalf of Minnesotans who depend on steady, thoughtful leadership.”

Resuming Oversight of Human Services

Upon his return, Hoffman plans to resume his role as chair of the Senate Human Services Committee, a position that places him at the center of some of Minnesota’s most consequential policy debates. The committee oversees programs affecting hundreds of thousands of residents, including Medicaid, long-term care, disability services, child welfare, and support systems for seniors and families.

Hoffman said his immediate focus will include continued review of Medicaid program integrity initiatives, provider payment stability, and safeguards designed to ensure continuity of care across the state.

“When systems break down, people pay the price,” he said. “My focus has always been and will continue to be on accountability that is fair, transparent, and grounded in the real-world impact policy decisions have on people’s lives.”

Those priorities come as Minnesota lawmakers prepare to navigate rising health care costs, workforce pressures in long-term care and human services, and ongoing scrutiny of how state-administered programs balance fiscal responsibility with access and equity.

Bipartisan Outreach and a Call for Civility

Hoffman also highlighted the bipartisan support he received during his recovery, noting that moments of crisis can transcend political divisions.

“In moments like these, politics fades and humanity takes over,” he said. “Colleagues from across the political spectrum reached out with genuine concern for my family. That reminder, that we are all human first, is something I carry with me as we return to session.”

Reflecting on the experience, he framed leadership as a practice rooted in restraint and listening rather than rhetoric.

“Good governance requires perspective,” Hoffman said. “It requires listening, restraint, and a willingness to work together even when we disagree. These past months reinforced for me that leadership is not about volume or visibility, it is about responsibility.”

Serving District 34 and the State

Hoffman represents Senate District 34, which includes Champlin, Dayton, Rogers, Coon Rapids, and parts of Brooklyn Park. He encouraged constituents to remain engaged as the 2026 Legislative Session begins, inviting them to continue sharing concerns, ideas, and feedback with his office.

“To the people of District 34 and to Minnesotans across the state: thank you,” Hoffman said. “Thank you for believing in our family. Thank you for giving us space to heal. And thank you for reminding me, through your compassion, why this work matters. I return on February 17 grounded, grateful, and committed to serving with humility and purpose.”

Hoffman is expected to be present at the Capitol when the Senate convenes on February 17 and will participate fully in committee hearings, floor sessions, and constituent meetings as lawmakers begin work on the 2026 agenda.

MinneapoliMedia