Democrat XP Lee Wins Minnesota House Seat in Wake of Political Tragedy
In a closely watched special election marked by grief and political tension, Democrat XP Lee has won the Minnesota House seat for District 34B, succeeding the late Representative Melissa Hortman, who was tragically assassinated in June.
Lee, a former Brooklyn Park City Council member and health equity analyst, defeated Republican real estate agent Ruth Bittner in the heavily Democratic district. His victory restores the 67-67 tie in the Minnesota House, preserving a delicate bipartisan power-sharing agreement brokered by Hortman before her death.
A Legacy Continued
“I am honored to have been elected to represent my neighbors in Brooklyn Park, Champlin, and Coon Rapids,” Lee said in a statement following his win. “I have never lost sight of the situation that brought us to this moment, and I will work hard every day to carry forward Speaker Melissa Hortman’s legacy”.
Lee’s campaign was buoyed by support from top Minnesota Democrats, including Governor Tim Walz and Senator Amy Klobuchar. He previously won a three-way Democratic primary in August, while Bittner ran unopposed in the Republican primary.
A Charged Political Climate
The election was held in the shadow of escalating political violence. Hortman and her husband Mark were fatally shot in their Brooklyn Park home on June 14 by a man impersonating a police officer. State Senator John Hoffman and his wife Yvette were also wounded in the attack but survived.
The alleged assailant, Vance Boelter, 57, faces multiple federal and state charges, including first-degree murder, attempted murder, and impersonating a police officer. Federal prosecutors described the killings as politically motivated, and Boelter was found with handwritten notes listing other elected officials and their addresses.
Just days before the Minnesota election, conservative activist Charlie Kirk was assassinated in Utah, further intensifying concerns about political violence nationwide.
Lee acknowledged the tense atmosphere, stating his intent to “calm the charged environment” and help the community heal. Bittner, while shaken by the violence, said she chose to run because “there’s no way to solve this problem if we shrink back in fear”.
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Political Implications
Lee’s win maintains the bipartisan balance in the Minnesota House, which had been disrupted by Hortman’s death. The power-sharing agreement, originally crafted by Hortman, allows Republican Lisa Demuth to serve as House Speaker while Democrats retain influence through evenly split legislative committees.
Two additional special elections are scheduled for November 4 to fill vacant Minnesota Senate seats. While control of the Senate is not expected to shift, the outcomes could trigger further changes in House representation if Democratic candidates win and vacate their current seats.
XP Lee’s victory is both a political milestone and a symbol of resilience for a community still reeling from tragedy. As Minnesota prepares for its next legislative session, all eyes will be on how Lee navigates his new role—and whether he can help bridge the divide in a deeply polarized political landscape.
