Minnesotans Honor Hortmans at Capitol in Final Tribute
Minnesotans honored Rep. Melissa Hortman, her husband Mark Hortman and their dog, Gilbert as they lay in state at the Minnesota Capitol on Friday.
Hortman, who represented Brooklyn Park, is the first woman to lie in state in Minnesota. It was historic, but also the public’s final chance to say goodbye.
Thousands lined up throughout the day Friday to pay their respects and everyone had a different reason.
“She was a real advocate in Minnesota,” said a visitor named Issac. “She pushed a lot for the people who didn’t have the voices to do so.”
Most of these visitors are people Melissa and Mark never met. People like Hannah and Isaac, who declined to share their last names.
They traveled from the St. Cloud area because they said Melissa’s work profoundly impacted their lives.
“She was a big advocate for mental health and stuff,” Hannah said. “I’m really grateful for her funding.”
The two brought flowers and a dog toy to place on the memorial. Isaac said he felt it would be wrong to show up empty-handed.
Another visitor, Jennavieve Evers, brought her daughter, Mabel. She said she wanted Mabel to understand Hortman’s impact. She also wanted her to understand the gravity of the situation.
“I think it’s important for the next generation to be able to see and understand what’s happening right now, at this point in history,” Evers said.
People line up to see the Hortmans as they lay in state at the Capitol.
An Influential Figure
Though Hortman’s legacy was great, it seems her loss is being felt even greater.
Rachel Leonard, a Minnesota attorney, said she met Hortman multiple times, and she helped a friend of hers run for office.
“As a young attorney, especially as a female, she is someone that we’ve all looked up to,” Leonard said. “She’s a giant in terms of Minnesota state politics.”
Leonard said she admired Hortman’s ability to reach across the political aisle to make decisions. Now, she’s still trying to make sense of the loss, though she’s not sure she ever will.
The public memorial was special for her.
“I was really, really grateful for the opportunity to come and pay our respects, and to show how much she really meant to us,” Leonard said.
Hortman’s work clearly touched many Minnesotans. Even after the doors to the Capitol opened, the line stretched around the block.
Before doors opened on Friday, people lined up on the Minnesota State Capitol steps to visit the Hortmans.
Background
The visitors we spoke with all condemned the violence that led to the Hortmans’ death.
The two, along with their dog, were killed in an act of politically-motivated violence in their Brooklyn Park home on June 14.
Fellow local elected leaders reflected on her loss and legacy. Freshman lawmakers from the region also spoke to her impact.
The Hortmans’ private funeral is on Saturday, June 28. It will be streamed live on the Department of Public Safety’s YouTube page.
