Amidst the aftermath of the shootings, Minnesota politicians promise a reduction in heated discourse
In the aftermath of a politically motivated attack on Minnesota State Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark, lawmakers across the state are seeking to change the tone of political engagement.
On June 14, the attack shook the political community, prompting calls for cooler discourse and mutual understanding. In response, an event was organized last month in St. Paul where at least a dozen lawmakers signed a pledge to engage peacefully and seek out common ground.
Shannon Watson, who organized the event and leads Majority in the Middle, a nonprofit group that promotes civility in public life, emphasized the need for a change in approach to politics. Democratic Secretary of State Steve Simon and Senate Leader Erin Murphy also added their names to the pledge.
Senator Michael Kreun believes it's more effective to police one's own side rather than blaming the other side for the lack of civility in politics. He hopes that society can get back to rewarding people who conduct themselves in a way that polls say they want, rather than those who resort to heated language and inflammatory rhetoric.
Simon, however, is not calling for officials to water down their opinions or passions. Instead, he emphasizes the need to avoid burning people down. He believes the attacks on Representative Hortman and her husband were politically motivated and underscore the need to reevaluate how officials communicate.
Other groups, such as the America First Policy Institute–Minnesota (AFPI-MN), are focusing on policy solutions aimed at restoring safety and affordability, framing the state's current environment as a critical juncture demanding commonsense action.
Minnesota lawmakers are actively working to promote cooler heads and civility following the attack. They recognize this moment as an inflection point for state politics, with bipartisan acknowledgement of the need to treat it as a serious opportunity to change the tone of political engagement going forward.
While no detailed legislative or formal procedural reforms aimed at civility were noted, symbolic pledges and public statements mark an important step toward de-escalation. This tone-setting may create momentum for more systemic efforts in the future.
Some lawmakers, like Senator Kreun, acknowledge that there are skeptics about the commitment to change following the attack, with the true test being whether lawmakers can maintain the same level of commitment over time. However, legislators are hopeful that the calls for cooler discourse will resonate and make a difference, not just in Minnesota but also nationally.
As the situation continues to unfold, Minnesota Public Radio's Dana Ferguson will provide updates on the efforts to promote civility and the ongoing impact of the attack on the state's political community.
- Minnesota lawmakers are actively working towards promoting cooler heads and civility following the politically motivated attack on State Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark.
- Senator Michael Kreun believes that it's more effective to police one's own side rather than blaming the other side for the lack of civility in politics.
- Other groups, like the America First Policy Institute–Minnesota (AFPI-MN), are focusing on policy solutions aimed at restoring safety and affordability, framing the state's current environment as a critical juncture demanding commonsense action.
- Journalist Dana Ferguson from Minnesota Public Radio will provide updates on the efforts to promote civility and the ongoing impact of the attack on the state's political community as the situation continues to unfold.
