Politics & Government

IL Democrats Listed In Documents Of Accused Political Assassin

Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL 8th) and State Senator Laura Fine (D-Glenview) were included in notes collected by police.

Vance Luther Boelter, the man accused of assassinating the top Democrat in the Minnesota House, is arrested late Sunday.
Vance Luther Boelter, the man accused of assassinating the top Democrat in the Minnesota House, is arrested late Sunday. (Ramsey County Sheriff's Office via AP)

ILLINOIS — Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL 8th), of Schaumburg, and State Senator Laura Fine (D-Glenview) were among several Illinois politicians named in documents by a man who's accused of killing one Minnesota state lawmaker and her husband, and shooting another Minnesota lawmaker and his wife.

Vance Luther Boelter, 57, was officially charged Monday morning in the fatal shootings of former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, as well as a separate attack on Minnesota Sen. John Hoffman and his wife.

Krishnamoorthi confirmed Tuesday his name appeared in the Minnesota assassination suspect's notes.

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"My thoughts are with the victims and their families. Political violence has no place in America — full stop," Krishnamoorthi said in a statement released on X.


Boelter's arrest late Sunday night in Sibley County followed a massive two-day search that extended deep into rural Minnesota. Brooklyn Park Police Chief Mark Bruley called it the "largest manhunt in the state's history," noting that 20 SWAT teams were involved in the operation that led to Boelter’s capture.

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RELATED: $5M Bail Set For Accused Political Assassin Vance Boelter After Manhunt, Murder Charges Filed

Chicago Tribune is reporting U.S. Rep. Nikki Budzinski, a Peoria Democrat, and Fine are the first elected officials in Illinois to publicly acknowledge being named in notes kept by Boelter. In a social media post, Budzinski said, "there is absolutely no place in this country for political violence. We must be a nation that values civility and mutual respect — always."

"I am very grateful to the Glenview Police Department and the Illinois State Police for their efforts in keeping me and my family safe," Fine said in a statement to Patch. "We cannot let political violence become normal in our country. I am proud of my leadership guaranteeing reproductive rights for all women in Illinois. Now more than ever, we need leaders who will always stand up for our values and are not afraid of bullies and terrorists — they must not win."

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