After the heartbreaking assassination of Minnesota Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman, her husband, and their dog Gilbert in their home, as well as the shooting of State Senator John Hoffman and his wife that left them both critically wounded, it has become clearer than ever the security risks faced by state legislators. Those devastating attacks succeeded in shifting the balance of power in the Minnesota State House and almost succeeded in shifting the balance of power in the State Senate. According to a survey conducted by the Brennan Center for Justice, 43% of state legislators reported experiencing threats, and 38% reported the amount of abuse they experienced increased after they took office. 

 

As public officials, we face increased risk by the very nature of our job. However, there are certain areas where we can make improvements to reduce such risk. For example, to mitigate security concerns involved in the nomination process, state law allows incumbent magisterial district judges to file a certificate of nomination to declare their candidacy, as opposed to requiring that they gather signatures on a nomination petition. Due to increases in political violence throughout our nation and our state, I am introducing legislation to provide the same opportunity to incumbent state legislators. Such a measure will help to improve safety while allowing incumbent state legislators to be more focused on legislating, rather than campaigning. 

 

I ask that you join me in support of this measure. Help to further the safety of our current and future state legislators in the face of increasing political violence.