Democrat Xp Lee wins race to succeed Melissa Hortman, restoring Minnesota House tie
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Democratic candidate Xp Lee prevailed Tuesday in a pivotal special election to fill the seat opened by the killing of House leader Melissa Hortman.
The outcome, called by The Associated Press not long after voting closed in the Brooklyn Park-area district, will return the House to a 67-67 tie between the parties.
Hortman had been the caucus leader and the chamber’s former speaker when she and her husband, Mark, were gunned down in their home in June. A man posing a police officer showed up in the middle of the night and opened fire; the suspect charged in the killings is also accused of shooting state Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, in their Champlin home in an attack the couple survived.
Lee beat Republican nominee Ruth Bittner. The district had favored Democrats. Hortman held the seat for two decades.
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The representative-elect said in an interview Wednesday he hopes to follow in Hortman’s footsteps in her ability to work across the aisle, even on contentious issues like gun policy.
“I definitely want to continue that to be able to work with everyone, extend a hand, to have really good conversations, to be able to move the issues forward for not just our district, but for all of Minnesota,” Lee said.
He also wants to focus on education since he represents an area served by the state’s largest public school district, Anoka-Hennepin. He’s also interested in public safety, conservation and healthcare access.
The 47-year-old is currently employed at the Minnesota Department of Health in its health policy division.
A former city council member, Lee will be sworn in after the results are certified. He could be pressed into action soon if the Legislature is summoned into special session to consider gun restrictions, mental health funding and other safety measures after a mass shooting at a Minneapolis church and school.
Lee is a Hmong-American refugee who arrived in the U.S. at 10 months old. He said his experience has shaped his perspective and inspired him to run for office.
“Now having the opportunities to serve as an elected official, first as city council [member], and then now as state representative, continues to be a driving factor. And I bring the hopes and dreams of my community, and I'm able to connect to other communities that are also trying to thrive and live out their American dream,” he said.
Lee is a new father of a 7-month old.
New Democratic House leader Zack Stephenson and Republican House Speaker Lisa Demuth have agreed to maintain the power-sharing arrangement decided at the beginning of the year.
Stephenson congratulated his new caucus colleague.
“He’s a union member, a father and a testament to what’s possible when we make sure we don’t leave anyone behind. His story is the American Dream,” Stephenson said in a written statement. “Now, it will take all 67 of us in the House to keep that dream alive for every Minnesotan.”
All 201 legislative seats will again be on the ballot in November 2026.
