Melissa Hortman remembered as "most consequential" speaker in state history

The big picture: Hortman, killed alongside her husband Saturday in what authorities have called a "politically motivated assassination," was instrumental in passing a sweeping slate of progressive policy priorities after Democrats won full control of the State Capitol in 2022.

• The list included laws codifying abortion rights, paid family leave, guaranteed sick time for many workers, universal school meals, recreational marijuana, tuition-free college for low-income families, driver's licenses for undocumented immigrants, voting rights for former felony offenders, protections for LGBTQ families, and tougher gun restrictions.

How it happened: After they seized narrow majorities in both chambers, Democrats moved quickly to enact dozens of proposals that Hortman's caucus had fine-tuned and prepared for passage during years of divided government.

• "We only know that we have these two years," Hortman said at the time. "So we are going to make every minute worth it."

"LFG" — "Let's f***cking go" — became the caucus' rallying cry. The results, in Hortman's own words, were "transformational and historic."

• Her urgency proved prescient: Less than six months after that two-year session ended, she lost the majority — and her speakership — when voters delivered a rare tie in the House.

Bio in brief: Hortman, an attorney who grew up in Anoka County and graduated with honors from law school at the the University of Minnesota, ran for state House twice before first winning her seat in 2004.

• She served as minority leader before ascending to speaker after Democrats won control of the chamber in 2018.

Zoom in: Around the Capitol, Hortman was known as a tough negotiator who possessed deep knowledge of legislative policies and procedure, along with good humor and a quick — and sometimes salty — wit.

• Outside of work, Hortman, who had two children who are now adults with her husband Mark, led Girl Scout troops and Sunday school classes, U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar recalled, and volunteered with an organization that trains service dogs.

Inside the room: Key to her success and influence as a leader was her "exceptional brain-[to]-mouth filter" and ability to outmaneuver opponents by thinking ahead, former DFL state Rep. John Lesch, who served roughly two decades alongside Hortman, told WCCO Radio's "The Sunday Take."

• "While other people were ranting, she was planning and deciding how to react," he said. "She never did any yelling, she did the listening."

Gov. Tim Walz recalled Hortman bringing copies of a book called "Getting To Yes" to their first negotiating session together under divided government.

• "The whole premise was debating with a sense of goodwill, a sense of trying to come to compromises that serve everyone," he said during a news conference announcing the apprehension of the man suspected of shooting her. "We did that because of her. We did that year after year after year. That's the embodiment of how things are supposed to work."

State Rep. Sydney Jordan, part of a cohort of young, progressive lawmakers elected in recent years, described Hortman as a caring but firm mentor during a teary interview with CNN.

• "She was not someone who would sugar coat what you needed to do," Minneapolis Democrat said. "She was someone who gave you that direct advice and told you what you needed to hear in that moment."

Between the lines: Republicans, who clashed frequently with Hortman and her caucus over policy, spending decisions and tactics, remembered her as a "principled and effective leader" who treated those on the opposite side tense political fights with professionalism and warmth.

• "She battled fiercely, but never let it impact the personal bond that we developed serving as caucus leaders," House Speaker Lisa Demuth (R-Cold Spring), who led the deadlocked chamber alongside Hortman this year, said in a statement.

One of Hortman's final legislative acts involved bucking her own party to ensure a budget deal went through.

She cast the deciding and sole DFL vote in the House to cut state-subsidized health care for undocumented adults as part of a broader agreement struck with the GOP, despite personally opposing the rollback.

• "I did what leaders do," she told reporters after the session concluded last week. "I stepped up and got the job done for the people of Minnesota."