14 Facts About Melissa Hortman

Melissa Hortman served as minority leader from 2017 to 2019 and as speaker from 2019 to 2025.

Melissa Hortman was born in Fridley, Minnesota, and graduated from Blaine High School in 1988.

Melissa Hortman worked as an intern in the United States Senate for Al Gore and John Kerry, and clerked for Judge John Sommerville while in law school.

Melissa Hortman served on the Brooklyn Park City Human Relations Commission and worked as an assistant county attorney for Hennepin County.

Melissa Hortman was elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives in 2004 and has been reelected every two years since.

Melissa Hortman first ran unsuccessfully in 1998, and again in 2002.

Melissa Hortman served as an assistant majority leader from 2007 to 2010 and as minority whip from 2011 to 2012.

Melissa Hortman served as deputy minority leader from 2015 to 2016.

Melissa Hortman supported a new stadium for the Minnesota Twins.

Melissa Hortman has been an advocate of environmental issues and in the effort to bring the 2020 Summer Olympics to Minnesota.

Melissa Hortman is pro-choice, supports gun control policies, and opposes voter identification initiatives.

In 2008, Melissa Hortman managed the DFL floor operation during a successful attempt to override then-Governor Tim Pawlenty's veto of a gas tax increase.

Melissa Hortman won awards from the 2020 caucus for her bipartisan work.

Melissa Hortman is Catholic and has taught Sunday school in Blaine.