Washington, D.C. — June 15, 2025 — The National Black Caucus of State Legislators (NBCSL) expresses its profound sympathy following the politically motivated assassination of Minnesota State Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband. We are also praying for the full recovery of State Senator John Hoffman and his wife, who were seriously wounded in a separate targeted attack.
“This heinous act of violence strikes at the core of our democracy and undermines the courage of those who dedicate their lives to public service,” says Tennessee State Representative Harold Love, Jr., President of the National Black Caucus of State Legislators. “Such violence is not only an attack on individuals—it is a direct assault on the principles of representation, accountability, and trust that hold our society together.”
As we mourn this devastating loss and call for justice, the National Black Caucus of State Legislators urges all Americans to come together—across communities, parties, and perspectives—to reject political violence in all its forms and recommit to building a nation where public service is respected, not targeted; where fear never triumphs over freedom; and where our collective voice continues to shape a just and peaceful future.