BROOKLYN PARK, Minn. (AP) — As the nation grapples with the assassination of conservative influencer Charlie Kirk, two candidates in the Minneapolis suburb of Brooklyn Park are going door to door seeking to win a legislative seat left open by a tragic home invasion that killed a longtime state lawmaker and her husband.
This troubling atmosphere of political violence has created palpable tension along Brooklyn Park’s tree-lined streets, as voters prepare to head to the polls to fill the state House seat vacated by the fatal attack on their neighbor, Rep. Melissa Hortman. First elected in 2005, Hortman served as Minnesota’s House speaker before her tragic death in June.
Hortman and her husband were killed in their home on the morning of June 14, an incident investigators have classified as politically motivated. The local community was shocked and saddened by the news.
Vance Boelter, 57, currently faces both federal and state murder charges in the case of the Hortmans’ deaths, along with additional charges related to the shooting of another democratic lawmaker, Sen. John Hoffman, who survived the attack along with his wife.
Community Anxiety Amidst Rising Political Tensions
The Republican candidate vying for Hortman’s seat, real estate agent Ruth Bittner, observed early in her campaign that people in the neighborhood seemed hesitant to open their doors. Bittner remarked, “We are in very, very scary times. We definitely need to get out of this trajectory that we’re on here.”
After the assassination of Kirk at a college event in Utah, Bittner briefly reconsidered her decision to run, but ultimately affirmed, “We can’t cower... There’s no way to solve this problem if we shrink back in fear.”
In addition to the political violence in their community, the special election follows an incident in August where two schoolchildren were shot and killed at a Minneapolis church during Mass, further heightening residents' fears. The shooter, identified as 23-year-old Robin Westman, allegedly fired over a hundred rounds, wounding numerous others before dying by suicide.
Xp Lee, a Democrat and former Brooklyn Park City Council member, has also echoed community concerns while canvassing for support. He noted, “Individuals have referenced the recent shootings... just yesterday, I was outdoor knocking, and a couple of people mentioned it.” Lee shared fond memories of his neighbor, Rep. Hortman, who was often seen walking her dog around Brooklyn Park. He aims to honor her legacy by serving in her place.
A Call for Decreased Violence
The assassination of Kirk has unsettled political leaders and residents alike, prompting widespread condemnation and calls for change. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz expressed, “In America, we don’t settle our differences with violence or at gunpoint.”
The rising atmosphere of tension has also influenced Lee's stance on gun legislation, advocating for a ban on automatic weapons and high-capacity magazines. He believes such measures are vital to protect the community. “Assault-style rifles are weapons of war that really we don’t need on our streets,” he stated.
As Brooklyn Park approaches the special election, the community remains apprehensive yet hopeful for change in a time marked by violence and uncertainty.
