JOINT RELEASE: Democratic Leadership Release Statements on Assassination and Targeted Attack on Minnesota Elected Officials
DENVER, CO – Colorado General Assembly Democratic Leadership today released statements following the assassination and targeted attack on Minnesota elected officials and their families.
“Melissa was a cherished colleague and words cannot express how deeply saddened I am,” said Speaker Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon. “She was a brilliant public servant, a champion for her state, and simply a wonderful person. My heart is with her family, her caucus and the state of Minnesota who I know are grieving alongside an entire nation that is in shock, and I am praying for the recovery of Senator Hoffman and his wife. Our democracy is based on the idea that we resolve our differences through peaceful debate and in courts, elected bodies, state legislatures and the halls of Congress. There is no place in our country, ever, for the targeting of elected officials and political violence, and those responsible must be brought to justice.”
“Under no circumstances is political violence acceptable in America. There is room for healthy disagreement and debate, but we must never turn to violence against our political opponents,” said Senate President James Coleman, D-Denver. “The targeted attacks in Minnesota are a dark example of how violent rhetoric can devolve into violent actions. I share in the grief of losing Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark, and I am praying for a full and speedy recovery for Senator John Hoffman and his wife.”
“These acts of targeted violence in Minnesota have shaken us all to the core and are a direct attack on the democratic values we hold dear,” said House Majority Leader Monica Duran, D-Wheat Ridge. “I never thought I'd see the day when a state legislator would be assassinated in their home. No one who runs for office signs up to lose their life in their service to their community and standing up for what they believe in. We must all speak up and say unambiguously that violence is not the answer and work toward a future where something like this is never possible. The entire Colorado legislature is praying for the speedy recovery of Senator Hoffman and his wife, and our hearts are with the families of Speaker Emeritus Hortman and her husband.”
“Retaliation and violence against public servants must never be tolerated,” said Senate Majority Leader Robert Rodriguez, D-Denver. “Americans across the country sacrifice their time and energy to run for office and serve their communities – they should never fear that in doing so they sacrifice their safety as well. We all must unequivocally condemn this horrific act of violence and commit to respectful and peaceful means of settling our political differences. My thoughts are with the families of Speaker Emerita Hartman and her husband, and I am hopeful for complete recovery for Senator Hoffman and his wife.”