Minnesota politics news in 2025 from gridlock to grief

The year 2025 delivered a series of unprecedented events in Minnesota politics, including acts of political violence that took the life of a prominent Capitol figure and kept a rhetorical revolving door spinning in the Legislature.

Power-sharing agreements and power struggles defined a legislative session that saw both chambers tied at some point. After court cases and special elections, the Legislature finally got settled. Lawmakers were able to pass a two-year budget despite the narrow division, though it took some extra innings to get it done.

Shortly after lawmakers got the budget across the finish line, a gunman killed top House DFLer Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, in their home. Thousands paid their respects as the former House speaker, her husband and the couple’s dog lay in state at the Capitol weeks later.

State Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, were also shot in their home by the man authorities say killed the Hortmans, but the Hoffmans survived.

Turn Up Your Support

MPR News helps you turn down the noise and build shared understanding. Turn up your support for this public resource and keep trusted journalism accessible to all.

The assassinations prompted calls to turn down the political rhetoric. But threats against officials continued. Conversations about how to honor the late DFL House leader when lawmakers return next year, as well as how to ensure security of lawmakers, visitors and others at the Capitol are ongoing.

Other lawmakers departed because of personal scandals. There were more special elections in the year than any other since the mid-1990s, tying an all-time record.

Reports of fraud in public programs spilled out one after another. The issue will be central to the 2026 legislative session and in the race for governor. More than a dozen Republican candidates have announced bids to take on DFL Gov. Tim Walz in his run for an unprecedented third consecutive four-year term.

Democratic U.S. Sen. Tina Smith decided against her own reelection campaign, giving Minnesota its first campaign for an open Senate seat in two decades next year. Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan and U.S. Rep. Angie Craig set their sights on that for the Democrats while Republicans are so far choosing among several lesser-known candidates with some others with broader recognition still contemplating it.

That governor’s race will undoubtedly get the most election attention next year. But next fall’s ballot also includes the U.S. Senate seat, four other constitutional offices, eight congressional seats and all 201 legislative seats.

Here is a look back at some of the year’s biggest moments in politics captured in photos.