John Hoffman (Minnesota politician)
John Hoffman | |
|---|---|
Hoffman in 2014 | |
| Member of the Minnesota Senate | |
| Assumed office January 8, 2013 | |
| Preceded by | Benjamin Kruse (redistricted) |
| Constituency | 36th district (2013–2023) 34th district (2023–present) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | January 17, 1965 Casper, Wyoming, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic (DFL) |
| Spouse | Yvette Hoffman |
| Children | 1 |
| Education | Minnesota State University, Mankato Saint Mary's University of Minnesota (BA) |
| Website | State Senate website Campaign website |
John A. Hoffman (born January 17, 1965) is an American politician and member of the Minnesota Senate. A member of the Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party (DFL), he represents District 34, which includes parts of Anoka and Hennepin County in the Twin Cities metropolitan area.
Hoffman and his wife, along with fellow Minnesota lawmaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, were targeted in a 2025 spree shooting. Hoffman and his wife were hospitalized; Hortman and her husband did not survive.[1]
Early life and career
Hoffman was born in Casper, Wyoming, on January 17, 1965.[2] Before being elected to the Minnesota Legislature, he served as a member of the Anoka-Hennepin School District Board, beginning in 2005.[3]
Before that, Hoffman was a member of the Federal Interagency Coordinating Council, assisting and advising Cabinet members on their response to children from birth to age eight, especially those with special health-care needs.[4]
Minnesota Senate
Hoffman was first elected to the Minnesota Senate seat representing the 36th district in 2012, defeating incumbent Benjamin Kruse.[5] He was reelected in 2016, 2020, and 2022. Due to redistricting before the election, Hoffman was elected to represent the 34th district in 2022. Hoffman served as the minority whip from 2017 to 2020. He currently chairs the Human Services Committee.[6]
Assassination attempt
On June 14, 2025, a man shot Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, at their home. They were both hospitalized.[1][7] The same man shot and killed Minnesota State Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband at their home.[1] Both Hoffmans underwent emergency surgery, and Yvette's condition was initially described as "unclear".[8]
On June 15, the suspected shooter, 57-year-old Vance Luther Boelter, was arrested.[9] On June 16, the capture of and charges against Boelter were announced at a press conference led by US Attorney for the District of Minnesota Joseph H. Thompson.[10]
On June 19, Hoffman and his wife released a joint statement describing the details of the assassination attempt and their heartbreak at the loss of the Hortmans.[11] The same day, Yvette Hoffman was released from the hospital.[12]
In July 2025, Hoffman was released from the hospital and transferred to a rehabilitation facility to continue his recovery.[13] [14]
Electoral history
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic (DFL) | John Hoffman | 22,194 | 53.20% | |
| Republican | Benjamin Kruse | 19,522 | 46.80% | |
| Total votes | 41,716 | 100.00% | ||
| Democratic (DFL) gain from Republican | ||||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic (DFL) | John Hoffman (incumbent) | 21,793 | 51.12% | |
| Republican | Jeffrey Lunde | 20,840 | 48.88% | |
| Total votes | 42,633 | 100.00% | ||
| Democratic (DFL) hold | ||||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic (DFL) | John Hoffman (incumbent) | 27,580 | 56.40% | |
| Republican | Karen Attia | 21,319 | 43.60% | |
| Total votes | 48,899 | 100.00% | ||
| Democratic (DFL) hold | ||||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic (DFL) | John Hoffman (incumbent) | 20,925 | 54.91% | |
| Republican | Karen Attia | 17,181 | 45.09% | |
| Total votes | 38,106 | 100.00% | ||
| Democratic (DFL) hold | ||||
References
- ^ a b c "Live updates on Minnesota lawmaker shootings: Legislators targeted by suspect impersonating police". FOX 9. June 14, 2025. Retrieved June 14, 2025.
- ^ "John Hoffman". Minnesota Historical Election Archive. Retrieved June 14, 2025.
- ^ "John Hoffman Biography". Archived from the original on February 4, 2013.
- ^ "Who is John Hoffman". Hoffman Strategic Advisors. Retrieved June 16, 2025.
- ^ "Minnesota Senate District 36 Election Results". Retrieved June 14, 2025.
- ^ "Hoffman, John A. - Legislator Record - Minnesota Legislators Past & Present". www.lrl.mn.gov (Press release). Retrieved May 21, 2024.
- ^ Santucci, Jeanine (June 14, 2025). "Minnesota lawmakers targeted in 'politically motivated assassination,' governor says". The Indianapolis Star. Retrieved June 14, 2025.
- ^ Esteban, Alicia (June 15, 2025). "Minnesota Sen. John Hoffman, his wife undergo surgery after shooting at their home". WCCO. Retrieved June 15, 2025.
- ^ Londoño, Ernesto; Cochrane, Emily; Bogel-Burroughs, Nicholas (June 16, 2025). "Live Updates: Suspect in Minnesota Attacks Is Arrested, Ending Manhunt". The New York Times. Retrieved June 16, 2025.
- ^ Faguy, Ana (June 16, 2025). "Minnesota suspect attempted to kill two other state lawmakers, officials say". www.bbc.com. Retrieved June 16, 2025.
- ^ Faheid, Dalia (June 20, 2025). "Minnesota lawmaker who survived shooting shares harrowing account of how the attack unfolded". CNN. Retrieved June 20, 2025.
- ^ Ali, Ubah (June 21, 2025). "Yvette Hoffman, wounded in Minnesota lawmaker shootings, beloved by her elementary school community". CBS Minnesota. Retrieved June 22, 2025.
- ^ Babineau, Andi (July 8, 2025). "Minnesota lawmaker released from ICU following politically-motivated shooting in June". CNN. Retrieved July 10, 2025.
- ^ Sen. John Hoffman leaves ICU, weeks after being shot during lawmaker attacks. July 8, 2025. Retrieved July 10, 2025 – via www.ky3.com.
- ^ "State General Election - November 6, 2012" (PDF). Secretary of State of Minnesota. Retrieved June 24, 2025.
- ^ "State General Election - November 8, 2016" (PDF). Secretary of State of Minnesota. Retrieved June 24, 2025.
- ^ "State General Election - November 3, 2020" (PDF). Secretary of State of Minnesota. Retrieved June 24, 2025.
- ^ "State General Election - November 8, 2022" (PDF). Secretary of State of Minnesota. Retrieved June 24, 2025.
External links
- Media related to John Hoffman (politician) at Wikimedia Commons
- John Hoffman at Minnesota Legislators Past & Present
- Senator John Hoffman official Minnesota Senate website
- Senator John Hoffman official campaign website