Lawmakers React To Shootings Of Rep. Melissa Hortman, Sen. John Hoffman

BROOKLYN PARK, MD — Tributes and reactions quickly poured in from across the nation after former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband were fatally shot at their Brooklyn Park home on Saturday. Sen. John Hoffman and his wife were also wounded in a related attack.

Speaking at a news conference, Gov. Tim Walz called the shooting a "politically motivated assassination." Authorities on Saturday continued to search for the suspect, whom two people familiar with the matter identified as 57-year-old Vance Boelter, according to The Associated Press.

"The state has lost a great leader and I lost the dearest of friends," Walz said of Hortman. "She was a formidable public servant, a fixture and a giant in Minnesota. She woke up every day determined to make this state a better place."

• FULL COVERAGE: Authorities ID Suspect In MN Lawmaker's Killing, 'Manifesto' Found By Police

Here’s what lawmakers and officials around Minnesota and other parts of the country have said about the shootings:

Lisa Demuth, Minnesota House Speaker

"Minnesota awoke this morning to news of a heinous attack and unimaginable tragedy that took the lives of Speaker Emerita Hortman and her husband, Mark. Pray for Melissa & Mark's loved ones. Pray for Senator Hoffman & Yvette. Pray for our law enforcement. Pray for Minnesota."

Tom Emmer, Minnesota House Majority Whip

Tina Smith, U.S. Senator

"I am heartbroken beyond words that Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark have died in a violent and politically motivated shooting. Melissa was an exceptional public servant. She was smart and funny and so dedicated to making Minnesota work better for all of us. We cannot tolerate allowing our political differences to explode into political violence that threatens our safety and our democratic form of government. We are praying for Senator John Hoffman and his wife Yvette. Archie and I send our prayers to the Hortman and Hoffman families. We are bereft."

Amy Klobuchar, U.S. Senator

Mark Johnson, MN Senate Minority Leader

“The families of Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and Senator John Hoffman are in my prayers. Senate Republicans are unified in our condemnation of this brazen act of violence.”

Ryan Sabas, Champlin Mayor

"Our thoughts and prayers are with Senator Hoffman his family, and Representative Hortman and her family. The actions that took place this morning are nothing short of pure evil. The people of Champlin can rest assure that our law enforcement are working closely with other agencies and a press conference and statement from police will be coming."

Ryan Winkler, Former MN House Majority Leader

Jacob Frey, Minneapolis Mayor

"I am sickened by the assassination of Speaker Hortman and the attack on Senator Hoffman. Political violence is evil. It cannot be tolerated, and neither can those who condone it or make excuses for it."

Zach Lindstrom, Mounds View Mayor

"I cannot emphasize enough that this is not ok. Any type of violence against elected officials is not ok. Any type of violence against other people is not ok."

Hakeem Jeffries, U.S. House of Representatives Minority Leader

Mike Johnson, Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives

"Such horrific political violence has no place in our society, and every leader must unequivocally condemn it. Our prayers are with the Hortman and Hoffman families as well as the people of Minnesota during this tragic time."

Chuck Grassley, U.S. Senator (IA)

"Horrible news in our neighbor to the north/MN (with) the targeting of public servants. Violence is never the answer. I hope (the) suspect is caught & swiftly brought to justice."

Gabby Giffords, former U.S. Senator (AZ)