Melissa Hortman, called Minnesota’s “most consequential speaker,” was shot with her husband in an attack authorities call an assassination.
MINNEAPOLIS — Former U.S. President Joe Biden and former Vice President Kamala Harris joined more than 1,000 mourners Saturday at the funeral of former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman, who was shot dead two weeks ago by a man posing as a police officer in what prosecutors have called an assassination.
Her husband, Mark, was also killed in the attack, which left state Sen. John Hoffman and his wife Yvette seriously injured.
The service was held at the Basilica of St. Mary’s in Minneapolis, where photos of the couple adorned the sanctuary.
“Melissa Hortman will be remembered as the most consequential speaker in Minnesota history. I get to remember her as a close friend, a mentor and the most talented legislator I have ever known,” said Governor Tim Walz.
Hortman championed measures including free school lunches and expanded protections for abortion and transgender rights.
The accused gunman appeared in court Friday and is due back Thursday.