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'''Melissa Anne Hortman''' (née '''Haluptzok'''; May 27, 1970 – June 14, 2025) was a former Democratic state representative from [[Minnesota]], serving from 2019 to 2025. She held the position of Speaker of the Minnesota House of Representatives from 2019 to 2025, after previously serving as House Minority Leader from 2017 to 2019. Although a member of the Democratic Party, Hortman was considered one of the more moderate voices in the Minnesota House of Representatives. She notably voted against policies that would have extended taxpayer-funded healthcare benefits to illegal immigrants,<ref>https://www.house.mn.gov/sessiondaily/Story/18830</ref> earning praise from conservatives who saw this as a stand for fiscal responsibility and national sovereignty.

'''Melissa Anne Hortman''' (née '''Haluptzok'''; May 27, 1970 – June 14, 2025) was a former Democratic state representative from [[Minnesota]], serving from 2005 to 2025. She held the position of Speaker of the Minnesota House of Representatives from 2019 to 2025, after previously serving as House Minority Leader from 2017 to 2019. Although a member of the Democratic Party, Hortman was considered one of the more moderate voices in the Minnesota House of Representatives. She notably voted against policies that would have extended taxpayer-funded healthcare benefits to illegal immigrants,<ref>https://www.house.mn.gov/sessiondaily/Story/18830</ref> earning praise from conservatives who saw this as a stand for fiscal responsibility and national sovereignty.

Tragically, on June 14, 2025, Hortman and her husband were murdered in their home in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota. The alleged perpetrator was reported to have been a former employee of Democratic Governor [[Tim Walz]].<ref>[https://nypost.com/2025/06/15/us-news/what-are-vance-luther-boelter-politics-alleged-minnesota-assassin-was-appointed-by-tim-walz-voted-for-trump/ What are Vance Luther Boelter’s politics? Alleged Minnesota assassin was appointed by Tim Walz, ‘voted for Trump’]</ref>

Tragically, on June 14, 2025, Hortman and her husband were murdered in their home in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota. The alleged perpetrator was reported to have been a former employee of Democratic Governor [[Tim Walz]].<ref>[https://nypost.com/2025/06/15/us-news/what-are-vance-luther-boelter-politics-alleged-minnesota-assassin-was-appointed-by-tim-walz-voted-for-trump/ What are Vance Luther Boelter’s politics? Alleged Minnesota assassin was appointed by Tim Walz, ‘voted for Trump’]</ref>