Dear Community,
It has been a devastating time for me and my colleagues at the legislature. Rest in Power and roses, Melissa and Mark. May we continue to honor your legacy for generations to come.
I continue to pray for Senator John Hoffman and his wife Yvette's swift recovery, and for their daughter Hope, as life will never be the same for them and all of us. I myself have still been reeling from this traumatic experience. It has been profoundly heart-wrenching and terrifying to live in a constant state of fear and paranoia, and what my colleagues, family, friends, and communities of Minnesota have experienced through these past couple of weeks has shaken us all.
I am deeply grateful to everyone who has been reaching out and sharing kind messages. During these heartbreaking times, unity and love are immeasurable. I have been truly blessed by the unwavering support of those who have been keeping me safe at a time when the climate of political rhetoric and violence has escalated to dangerous levels.
Minnesota is better than this—Minnesotans deserve better. We must never forget the love that Speaker Melissa Hortman gave to this state and to the many who personally knew her. We will continue to hold onto the spirit of her leadership as a compass to navigate our work together to make Minnesota unified and better.
She was a formidable leader who led with grace, strength, and vision. No matter the job at hand, she always put Minnesotans first and made this state the best it could be. In my first session, where we celebrated bringing a DFL trifecta and passing historic legislation, Melissa empowered me with unwavering faith and instilled confidence in my ability to lead for my district and community inside the chamber. She challenged and supported me, we shared unforgettable late session nights strategizing and refining law to better serve our state, and she consistently showed genuine interest in my personal life, asking about my daughter's school experience, my arts career, and seeking travel recommendations during her visits to Puerto Rico.
She valued me, accepted my authenticity, and I felt at ease accepting, building, and discussing our work alongside navigating the challenges of difficult legislative decisions. She would often stop by my desk on the floor to compliment my wardrobe, further strengthening our bond. She took immense pride in my leadership during my second term, supporting my role as chair of the Saint Paul Delegation and Vice-Chair of our POCI caucus. Thank you, Melissa, for your unwavering support, friendship, humor, and for inspiring me to become a better legislator. Your memory will be etched in my heart forever, and I will continue to embody your passion, perseverance, and honor in serving the people of Minnesota.
I am standing strong while doing my best to balance and stay resilient through this profound shock. Stay strong everyone and keep us lawmakers and our families in your prayers because we are facing many challenges in what safety looks and feels like right now in our everyday lives. Despite the risks, it is an honor of a lifetime to serve as your state representative. I will remain strong and steadfast in my leadership as we forge a new path forward—united in compassion, dignity, and civility.
Memorial Services
This week, Governor Tim Walz announced that Melissa and Mark Hortman will lie in state on Friday, June 27, 2025. They will be joined by their Golden Retriever, Gilbert. Hortman will be the first woman and one of fewer than 20 Minnesotans to lie in state in the Capitol.
Public Viewing:
- Date: Friday, June 27, 2025
- Time: 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM
- Location: Capitol Rotunda
- Open to the public to pay their respects
Private Funeral Service:
- Date: Saturday, June 28, 2025
- Time: 10:30 AM
- Livestream: Available on the Minnesota Department of Public Safety's YouTube channel
Keep in Touch
Please continue to reach out anytime if you need assistance or have questions at rep.maria.isa.perez-vega@house.mn.gov or 651-296-9714. You can also follow my official Facebook page.
Muchísimas Gracias,
Rep. María Isa Pérez-Vega
Minnesota House of Representatives