Remembering Speaker
Melissa Hortman
Speaker Melissa Hortman was an incredible leader who dedicated her life to public service. She led the caucus with integrity, grace, and determination to improve people’s lives. She served as Speaker from 2019 to 2025 and is the most consequential Speaker Minnesota has ever seen.
Speaker Hortman talked a lot about following the Golden Rule, and the value that “to whom much is given, much is expected.” She felt she had the ability and the obligation to serve others. And serve others she did.
Because of her leadership, Minnesota kids will have food in their bellies, families can spend time together during challenging times, young people can go to college for free, and our planet will have a chance to flourish for centuries. Even though she and her husband, Mark, weren’t afforded safety from gun violence, countless Minnesotans will be safer because of her. Minnesota is an immeasurably better state because Speaker Melissa Hortman chose to serve.
Speaker Hortman was first elected to the legislature in 2004. She was a steadfast advocate for public transportation, clean energy, and ensuring every Minnesotan received the fairest shake possible. She loved trees and fought for thousands to be planted in Minnesota.
Whether she was at the Capitol or on the campaign trail, Speaker Hortman made difficult decisions because she knew they were right. She stood up for people whose voices weren’t being heard. She believed in democracy and wanted everyone to be represented. She was living out values instilled in her at an early age.
Her legislative talents matched her knack for campaigning and winning elections. In 2018, DFLers won a majority because of Melissa’s unrelenting commitment to knocking doors and raising eye-popping sums. But no cycle matched her last. In 2024, Speaker Hortman led the House DFL campaign to set statewide fundraising and organizing records.
Her legislative talents matched her knack for campaigning and winning elections. In 2018, DFLers won a majority because of Melissa’s unrelenting commitment to knocking doors and raising eye-popping sums. But no cycle matched her last. In 2024, Speaker Hortman led the House DFL campaign to set statewide fundraising and organizing records.
In considering ways to remember Melissa and Mark, there’s no better advice than this from Colin and Sophie Hortman:
“Our parents touched so many lives, and they leave behind an incredible legacy of dedication to their community that will live on in us, their friends, their colleagues and co-workers, and every single person who knew and loved them.
“Hope and resilience are the enemy of fear. Our parents lived their lives with immense dedication to their fellow humans. This tragedy must become a moment for us to come together. Hold your loved ones a little closer. Love your neighbors. Treat each other with kindness and respect.
The best way to honor our parents' memory is to do something, whether big or small, to make our community just a little better for someone else.”
Her family’s commitment to their Catholic faith, steadfast small-business work ethic, and support for their community shaped her early years and eventually led Hortman to law school. During an internship in Washington, D.C., she met Mark Hortman. They both volunteered as reading mentors at a local school. Mark made sure they were paired with the same student. They were engaged three months later.
Melissa and Mark joyfully raised their children, Colin and Sophie. They filled their home with good friends, great music, homemade meals, strong drinks, and delicious baked goods. They trained service dogs, until Gilbert failed out of training and became their devoted family dog.
If you would like to honor the memory of Mark and Melissa, please consider the following:
Plant a tree.
Visit a local park and make use of its amenities, especially a bike trail.
Pet a dog. A golden retriever is ideal, but any will do.
Tell your loved ones a cheesy dad joke and laugh about it.
Bake something and share it with someone.
Try a new hobby and enjoy learning something.
Stand up for what you believe in, especially if that thing is justice and peace.
