Montco Legislators React To Minnesota Shooting

EASTERN MONTGOMERY COUNTY, PA — Local lawmakers are expressing sadness and shock over the shootings of legislators over the weekend in Minnesota.

Minnesota State Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband were fatally shot Saturday by a man who also shot and injured State Sen. John Hoffman and his wife. The suspect was taken into custody after an extensive manhunt.

"I strongly condemn the horrific and senseless shooting of Minnesota State Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband, and the brutal attack that left Senator John Hoffman and others seriously injured," State Rep. Nancy Guenst said. "This act of political violence is an assault on our democracy and the values we hold as a nation. No public servant should face such danger for their commitment to service. Our thoughts are with the victims and their families during this devastating time. We must come together — across party lines — to reject hatred, uphold the rule of law, and ensure that such violence has no place in our society."

State Sen. Maria Collett also issued a statement saying she was "deeply heartbroken" by the targeted attacks.

"This can only be described as a continued and deliberate escalation of political violence across our country," Collett said.

She said the horrific act follows a disturbing pattern witnessed many times over recent years: The shooting of U.S. Congresswoman Gabby Giffords in 2011, to the congressional baseball practice attack in 2017, to numerous threats and intimidation campaigns against public officials at all levels.

Gov. Josh Shapiro was also targeted when someone broke into the Governor's Mansion and set it on fire a few months ago.

"Each incident erodes the foundation of our democratic process," Collett said. "As a public official, I understand the commitment these individuals made to serve their constituents and improve their communities. No one who steps forward to serve should ever face violence for doing so."

State Rep. Melissa Cerrato called the attack a "wildfire of hate."

"When violence rears its head in our political process, regardless of party, it tears at the very fabric that binds us as a nation. An attack on any one of us is an attack on all of us," Cerrato said.

"The wildfire of hate is burning out of control. It’s consuming our sense of security, trust, and shared humanity. We cannot stand idly by and let it scorch the pillars of our democracy," Cerrato stated. "Now is the time for all of us to be firefighters of peace. Let’s douse the flames with empathy, with respect, with action. Together, we can build a brighter, kinder, more united future. But it takes each and every one of us."

Collett stressed that people should resolve differences through dialogue, debate, and the ballot box, never through intimidation or violence.

"These attacks threaten not just individuals, but the legitimacy of public service itself and discourage good people from stepping forward to serve. We must never let these acts stop us from participating in this great experiment that is America," Collette said. "Together, we all must ensure that political violence never becomes normalized in the United States of America.