Former US President Joe Biden, ex-Vice President Kamala Harris, and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz sat in the front row during the funeral service of Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark. The private ceremony, held at the Basilica of Saint Mary in Minneapolis and streamed online, commemorated the lives of the former Minnesota House Speaker, her husband, and their golden retriever, Gilbert. The trio were killed in a targeted attack that has shocked the state and led to federal charges against the alleged perpetrator.
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The couple were fatally shot in their home in Brooklyn Park on 14 June, in what authorities believe was part of a wider plot aimed at Democratic officials. The suspected attacker, 57-year-old Vance Boelter, posed as a police officer before opening fire. Democratic state senator John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, were also seriously injured in a separate but connected assault that evening. Gilbert, the couple’s dog, was wounded in the attack and later put down. His ashes were placed between the caskets in the rotunda of the Capitol in St Paul, where President Biden paid his respects.
Though reports have pointed to rising tensions between Biden and Harris in recent months, the funeral marked a rare occasion where the two appeared publicly together. Harris is said to be considering a future run for California governor, which could signal a move away from national office. Their shared appearance at the service served as a moment of unity in the face of tragedy, despite recent speculation around their political relationship.
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Governor Walz opened the eulogies with a heartfelt tribute, recalling Melissa Hortman as both a close friend and “the most consequential Speaker in Minnesota history.” He reflected warmly on his friendship with Mark, rooted in their shared love for 1980s music. Attorney and family friend Robin Ann Williams brought humour to the service with an anecdote about Melissa agonising over nearly identical paint samples for her kitchen — which ultimately remained beige. The ceremony concluded with a prayer led by the couple’s son, Colin, and his fiancée.
