The political landscape in Minnesota was rocked this summer by tragedy, but on September 16, 2025, voters in House District 34B took a decisive step to move forward. Democrat Xp Lee, a former Brooklyn Park City Council member and Minnesota Department of Health employee, won the special election to fill the state House seat left vacant by the assassination of former Speaker Melissa Hortman. Lee’s victory not only honors the memory of a beloved leader but also restores a delicate balance in the Minnesota House, returning it to a 67-67 tie and preserving a bipartisan power-sharing agreement that has defined the chamber since the 2024 elections.
The backdrop to this special election was anything but ordinary. Melissa Hortman, a fixture in Minnesota politics and a six-year House Speaker, was gunned down alongside her husband Mark in their Brooklyn Park home on June 14, 2025. Prosecutors allege that Vance Boelter, the accused shooter, impersonated a police officer to carry out what they have described as a "politically motivated assassination." The violence didn’t stop there: state Senator John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, were also shot and severely wounded that same evening. Boelter now faces federal and state charges, including multiple counts of murder and attempted murder, and has pleaded not guilty.
Lee’s path to the legislature was shaped by these events. Born in a refugee camp in Thailand after his family fled the Vietnam War, Lee has spoken candidly about the weight of the moment. “I wouldn’t be running if it wasn’t for the murder of Melissa Hortman. So, I am very conscious of political and gun violence. So, I want to help our community heal,” Lee told the Associated Press before the election. In his victory statement, Lee emphasized his commitment to carrying forward Hortman’s legacy: “I am honored to have been elected to represent my neighbors in Brooklyn Park, Champlin, and Coon Rapids. I have never lost sight of the situation that brought us to this moment, and I will work hard every day to carry forward Speaker Melissa Hortman’s legacy.”
Lee’s opponent, Republican Ruth Bittner, a real estate agent, acknowledged the gravity of the campaign. Speaking to Minnesota public radio, Bittner remarked, “Hortman was a very unique individual. We will not be trying to replace her.” The violence that has shadowed Minnesota politics in recent months gave Bittner pause about running, but she ultimately decided, “There’s no way to solve this problem if we shrink back in fear.”
The election took place in a district that has long leaned Democratic—Hortman won re-election in November 2024 with 63% of the vote. Still, the stakes were high. With Lee’s win, Democrats and Republicans each hold 67 seats in the House, reinstating a power-sharing arrangement that was brokered by Hortman herself after Democrats lost their majority in 2024. Under this deal, Republican Lisa Demuth became Speaker, while Hortman took the title of Speaker Emerita. Most legislative committees are now evenly split between the parties, with co-chairs from each side, meaning that bipartisan cooperation is essential for any legislation to move forward.
The importance of this arrangement is not just procedural—it has real consequences for policy. Governor Tim Walz has announced plans for a special legislative session focused on school security and gun violence, following a mass shooting at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis last month that left two students dead and 21 injured. With the House tied, both parties will need to work together to address the urgent concerns of constituents. Rep. Zack Stephenson, the newly elected leader of the House Democratic caucus, underscored this point: “That means we’ll prioritize the safety of our kids instead of access to weapons of war, and we’ll make our economy work better for all Minnesotans, not just the billionaires.”
The shadow of political violence has loomed large over Minnesota and the nation in recent weeks. Just days before the special election, conservative activist Charlie Kirk was assassinated in Utah, thrusting the issue of political safety even further into the spotlight. Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin addressed this climate in a statement, saying, “Across Minnesota, our hearts are still broken by the horrific assassination that stole Melissa and her husband Mark. 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.”
Lee’s personal story has resonated with many in the district and across the state. Having fled violence as a child and built a career in public service, he represents both continuity and change. Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee President Heather Williams commented, “Lee’s win restores a tie in the Minnesota House and honors the legacy of Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman, who is deeply missed.”
The special election was not the only one on Minnesota’s political calendar. Two more special elections are scheduled for November 4, 2025, to fill vacant Senate seats: one vacated by Democratic Sen. Nicole Mitchell, who resigned after a conviction for burglary, and another following the death of Republican Sen. Bruce Anderson. Both districts are considered safe for their respective parties, so the overall balance of power in the Senate is unlikely to shift. However, if state Rep. Amanda Hemmingsen-Jaeger, the Democratic candidate for Mitchell’s seat, prevails, her House seat will also need to be filled in a subsequent special election.
The broader context of these events is a nation grappling with the consequences of heated political rhetoric and acts of violence. Lawmakers in Minnesota and beyond have expressed growing concerns about their safety and the tone of political discourse. The shootings that claimed the lives of Hortman and her husband, and wounded Senator Hoffman and his wife, have become a rallying point for calls to reject violence and focus on healing and unity.
As Lee prepares to serve the remainder of Hortman’s term through 2026, he faces the challenge of honoring her legacy while addressing the urgent needs of his constituents. The special session on gun violence and school security will be a first test for the newly restored bipartisan House. For now, the people of District 34B—and Minnesota as a whole—are watching closely, hopeful that this moment of tragedy can give rise to a renewed spirit of cooperation and resilience in their state government.
