Slain, attacked lawmakers played key roles in senior care policy

Two Minnesota lawmakers targeted in separate assassanation attempts over the weekend have been “champions” for older adults, state provider associations said Monday.

Sen. John Hoffman (D) was named a 2025 LeadingAge Minnesota Public Official of the Year in February.

Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, were attacked in their home around 2 a.m. Saturday, surviving despite being shot at least eight times each. Rep. Melissa Hortman (D) and her husband, Mark, were shot and killed at their home about 90 minutes later.

A suspect was apprehended late Sunday after a two-day manhunt. Gov. Tim Walz (D) and law enforcement officials have described the attacks on the lawmakers — both members of the state’s Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party — as politically motivated.

At a Monday press conference, Minnesota’s acting US attorney said the suspect also stopped at the homes of two other Democratic lawmakers early Saturday morning.

Over the weekend, both LeadingAge Minnesota and Care Providers of Minnesota took to social media to praise the lawmakers’ collaborative work.

“Advocacy is at the heart of LeadingAge Minnesota’s mission, and we have had the privilege of forming close, lasting relationships with elected officials and policy,” the LeadingAge affiliate wrote. “We strongly condemn this senseless political violence. Our heartfelt prayers are with the Hoffmans’ for a full recovery and with the Hortman family as they grieve the loss of Melissa and Mark. We also extend our compassion and support to all those who loved them and to everyone in our policymaking community who is reeling from this unimaginable tragedy.”

Care Providers described the victims as “dedicated public servants and strong advocates for a better Minnesota.” 

“Care Providers of Minnesota is heartbroken and horrified by the senseless act of political violence that took the lives of Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and her husband; and critically injured Senator John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette,” Care Providers said. “Their leadership, compassion, and integrity have touched countless lives in our state.”

Washington Post columnist EJ Dionne over the weekend highlighted some of the many achievements Hortman and her party colleagues notched with just a narrow legislative majority over the last two years. Those included legislation for paid family and medical leave, required sick leave, investments in affordable housing, and laws strengthening workers’ rights — including creation of a controversial nursing home workforce standards board in 2023.

In April, Hoffman, a member of the powerful Human Services committee, sponsored a bill intended to help grow Minnesota’s nursing workforce by funding a Center for Nursing Equity and Excellence to address recruitment, retention, and training. 

He had most recently led debate over a key budget bill that will ultimately cap rate increases for nursing homes in coming years, if passed during a general session in July. But Human Services committee members admittedly struggled with the bill, which needed to incorporate $1.1 billion in cuts over a four-year period.

The bill does, however, increase funding 16% next year with new funds prioritizing home and community based services. There is also $100 million for zero-interest loans for nursing homes.

In May, Hoffman described the proposed budget as creating “autonomy and independence for people with disabilities” and encouraging “choice of care services.”

“In Minnesota, we cherish a tradition of respectful dialogue and collaboration, even in times of disagreement,” LeadingAge said Sunday. “Today, that tradition is overshadowed by grief and disbelief. We stand together — stronger in our unity and conviction to honor the lives of those lost by continuing their work with dignity and care.”