What it Means to be a Minnesotan
In the last few weeks, Minnesotans have faced moments of tragedy and heartbreak that are hard to put into words. The brutal and calculated murders of Speaker-Emerita Hortman and her husband Mark, along with the attack on Senator John Hoffman and his wife Yvette, have shaken our state. These acts weren’t random. They were targeted, senseless, and deeply disturbing.
We’ve since learned the perpetrator had a list of additional intended targets, but thanks to swift action by law enforcement, he was stopped before he could cause further harm. He was ultimately apprehended by the same brave men and women he tried to impersonate.
In doing so, he abused the trust of the public and tarnished a role that thousands of honorable men and women work hard to uphold every day. When someone uses a badge or a uniform to deceive and destroy, it causes harm that runs deeper than most can understand. It breaks down trust in the very institutions meant to keep us safe.
And yet, in the midst of this heartbreak, I’ve been reminded of something else: that despite the darkness, there is still so much good in our state.
Just days after the tragedy, a powerful storm tore through the Bemidji area. Trees that had stood tall for over 100 years were suddenly ripped from the ground. Homes were damaged. Neighborhoods were left to clean up and rebuild. I spent the day there helping clear debris.
What I saw there stuck with me.
Neighbors helping neighbors. Strangers showing up with equipment, food, or just a willingness to lend a hand. A deputy offering to pitch in after his shift. A passerby offering his skid steer to someone he didn’t even know. No one asked for credit. No one looked for recognition. They just showed up because that’s what we do in Minnesota.
It reminded me of home. It reminded me of who we are as Minnesotans.
We live in a world where tragedy and evil are, unfortunately, very real. Some questions will never have satisfying answers. But in those moments, it’s our response that defines us.
We all carry different beliefs, different backgrounds, and different stories. But we share something important: a deep sense of community and a willingness to show up when it counts. We don’t let storms, whether natural or manmade, tear us apart. We pull together and we rise above.
Over the last week, as I traveled around District 22B, I met with folks who reminded me again and again why I’m proud to represent this area. Good people. Honest conversations. A strong sense of responsibility to each other and to the places we call home.
So, here’s my challenge: don’t wait for the next storm or crisis to connect with your community. Say hi to your neighbor. Help someone in need. Support your local community. And when something terrible does happen, be the person who shows up with a helping hand.
Let’s be the reason someone still believes in the goodness of this world. That’s the Minnesota Melissa Hortman believed in, and that’s what will carry us forward.
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