Brooklyn Park DFLers launch campaigns to fill seat left vacant after former Speaker Melissa Hortman’s killing
A Hennepin County prosecutor and former Brooklyn Park City Council member are among those planning to run for the late Rep Melissa Hortman s Minnesota House seat as DFLers Erickson Saye who in the past worked for Gov Tim Walz s office revealed his campaign for Minnesota House District B Tuesday morning And Xp Lee who served on the Brooklyn Park council from to and now works as a vitality equity strategist at the Minnesota Department of Vitality disclosed his campaign on Monday The seat has been vacant since Hortman s killing a little over a month ago Hortman s career in the House spanned years and she represented District B from up until her death Vance Boelter the man suspected of killing Hortman and her husband faces multiple state and federal charges that include murder and stalking He is also accused of shooting state Sen John Hoffman and his wife both of whom survived the attacks Related Colleagues remember Brooklyn Park lawmaker Melissa Hortman assassinated at age Walz last week ordered a special poll in the district which covers parts of Hennepin and Anoka counties Hopeful candidates have between Tuesday and p m on July to file for the seat The primary will take place on Aug with a general ballot on Sep In both Hortman and Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris earned more than of the vote in the district Besides being a prosecutor and working on civic engagement for the Walz administration Saye s experience in society organization includes managing field operations for the DFL in the northwest suburbs He explained his Brooklyn Park locality encouraged him to run for the state House It means everything It s something that I hold very dear and I appreciate so much being requested by my locality Saye commented in an interview with MinnPost He noted his experience supporting Walz and other state leaders will allow him to work across the aisle to represent Brooklyn Park If elected Saye plans to focus on proactive initiatives for youth and accessible safe housing Lee s experience besides time on the Brooklyn Park City Council includes working as Brooklyn Park Planning Commissioner in According to a Monday press release Lee is running to promote region and coalition building If elected he plans to prioritize accessible and affordable soundness care higher educational achievement in K- schools the tech-onomy clean capacity and environmental justice Lee has received endorsements from Brooklyn Park City Council member Amanda Xiong state Reps Samantha Vang and Fue Lee and former state Rep Hodan Hassan Both candidates have expressed their desire to honor Hortman s legacy in filling the seat In a conversation with MinnPost Saye reported It s with a heavy heart deep emotions and deep sadness He remembers Hortman as a role model in youth involvement Lee was unavailable for comment by phone but in Monday s press release he reported Melissa Hortman wasn t just a powerful voice at the Capitol she was our Neighbor The post Brooklyn Park DFLers launch campaigns to fill seat left vacant after former Speaker Melissa Hortman s killing appeared first on MinnPost
