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Among the state leaders who are mourning the loss of DFL House Leader Melissa Hortman is Minnesota Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan. She became lieutenant governor in 2019, the same year Rep. Hortman took up the gavel as Speaker of the House. Before that, Flanagan worked with Hortman and DFL Senator John Hoffman as fellow lawmakers. 

Flanagan joined MPR News host Nina Moini to talk about the devastating events of the weekend and her relationships to Rep. Hortman and Sen. Hoffman.

The following conversation has been edited for length and clarity. Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation.

I’m sad. This is a moment that nobody expected and I am so incredibly grateful to law enforcement in this moment, who just got to work over the last two days and stepped up to find the suspect. 

In particular, I’m thinking about the officer from Brooklyn Park who had the good sense to follow a hunch that maybe he should send folks to to Melissa Hortman's home. I think he probably saved a lot of lives, so just lots of emotions today. And yeah, I miss my friend.

What do you want people to know about your friend, former House Speaker Melissa Hortman?

Melissa Hortman’s entire life was dedicated to others. She was an incredible leader who was very selfless, had very little ego. She avoided a lot of the “political stuff,” but she didn’t use the word “stuff.”

I think about all of the things over the last couple of years that we’ve been able to accomplish together, like paid family and medical leave, a nation-leading child tax credit, feeding kids, putting protections into law for reproductive health. 

Those things got done because she pushed and planned and brought her caucus together and she had such tenacity to get results. Her legacy will benefit generations of Minnesotans to come. 

The opportunities that Melissa gave me created this life that I have. So many former staff members and people, including myself, she saw something in and gave them an opportunity. Even if you didn’t know that you had it in you. That’s just how she led. 

But these legislative victories that will live on is just one small part of who she was. She was a mom, and we talked about what it meant to raise girls in this moment. She was a gardener. She loved dogs, she loved her dog Gilbert. 

We went on a handful of double dates — Tom and I with her and Mark — and she’s just a fantastic, fun person. I’m so glad that people are getting to know her all across the country, both of those public and private sides of her. 

What would you want people to know about Senator Hoffman as he recovers?

There’s no one who will pump you up more than Senator Hoffman. I feel like when we run into each other, he is just so full of life and gives you a hard time, but he’s also so clear on his dedication to Minnesotans and in particular, to Minnesotans with disabilities.

I've watched him be an incredible dad and advocate and ensure that the voices of people who sometimes go unheard are centered in the work that he does. And he and his wife Yvette are crazy about each other and I’m so glad that they are on the road to recovery. 

We know it’ll be a long recovery, but they’re just good people and I just am so relieved that they are coming through this incredible tragedy. 

Minnesota’s state lawmakers don’t typically have personal security. Are there plans to step up security, both at the Capitol and to protect officials and staff?

We are certainly having those conversations. As the the chair of the advisory committee on capitol area security, I take them very seriously. We are in conversation with folks at the State Patrol and DPS. The primary responsibility for all of us is the safety of our members of staff and of the public and that is the lens through which we need to see all of this. 

Again, we find ourselves in a moment where things are very politically charged and we have to meet the moment by ensuring the safety of everyone. For now, we just ask people to stay vigilant. If you have any concerns, reach out to law enforcement and we will continue to work together to determine what, if any, changes need to be made at the state Capitol.

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Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan reflected with Minnesota Now host Nina Moini on her relationship with Hortman as a lawmaker, mother and friend.  

Lt. Gov. Flanagan remembers Melissa Hortman as 'dedicated' and 'selfless' friend

Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan and Rep. Melissa Hortman

Lt. Gov. Flanagan remembers Melissa Hortman as ‘dedicated and selfless’ friend

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