Minnesota voters chose a Democratic successor Tuesday for the state House seat that had been held by Melissa Hortman, who was assassinated in June.
Democrat Xp Lee defeated Republican Ruth Bittner in the special election in the solidly Democratic district in the northwestern suburbs of the Twin Cities, The Associated Press projected.
Lee’s win comes three months after Hortman, a former state House speaker, and her husband were killed in what Minnesota authorities have described as a “politically motivated assassination" at their Brooklyn Park home on June 14.
Another legislator, state Sen. John Hoffman, and his wife, Yvette, were also shot in their home that evening and were severely wounded. The man who has been charged in both shootings, Vance Boelter, has pleaded not guilty to multiple counts of second-degree intentional murder and attempted murder.
The shootings led to fears among lawmakers around the country and in Washington, D.C., about their safety amid escalating political rhetoric and violent threats. Those security concerns have been raised again in recent days after the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk at a Utah college.
Hortman’s seat had remained vacant following her murder. Lee’s victory will restore a 67-67 tie to the Minnesota state House.
The result will likely prove useful for Democrats as the Legislature heads into an expected special session focused on gun issues. Democratic Gov. Tim Walz has said that he plans to convene such a session imminently, following a shooting last month at a Minneapolis Catholic school that left two children dead.
Lee, who was born in a refugee camp in Thailand, works for the Minnesota Department of Health and served on the City Council for Brooklyn Park, a northwestern suburb of the Twin Cities, from 2022 to 2024.
Democrats lauded Lee for his win, while also continuing to mourn Hortman.
"Across Minnesota, our hearts are still broken by the horrific assassination that stole Melissa and her husband Mark," Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin said in a statement. "Political violence is a scourge that has taken far too many lives. Enough is enough. It must end now. And in every case, each of us has a responsibility to condemn and reject political violence wherever it rears its head."
"I have no doubt Rep-elect Lee will be a champion for the constituents of his district, and through that work, proudly carry the legacy of a leader who worked tirelessly for all Minnesotans — my friend, the great Melissa Hortman," added Martin, who worked in Minnesota Democratic politics for years.
Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee President Heather Williams added that Lee’s "win restores a tie in the Minnesota House and honors the legacy of Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman, who is deeply missed."
