Amy Klobuchar Pays Tribute to Slain Minnesota Lawmaker in Emotional Interview: ‘Loved By Democrats and Republicans’

Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) on Sunday paid an emotional tribute to former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman, who was shot and killed Saturday alongside her husband in what authorities are calling a politically motivated attack.

Appearing on NBC’s Meet the Press, Klobuchar praised Hortman as a “true public servant” and “extraordinary leader,” describing her longtime friend as a devoted mother and community volunteer.

“She was loved by Democrats and Republicans,” Klobuchar told anchor Kristen Welker. “This is a woman who taught Sunday School, led Girl Scouts, and still knocked on every door in her district.”

The senator added:

And maybe all that juggling made it easier for her as she worked her way up in the legislature and became this extraordinary Speaker of the House, ushering in everything from preschool lunch to working with the governor and other leaders to do some landmark legislation on paid family leave. To this year working with her Republican counterpart, when we pretty much had a tied legislature, to get the budget done. That’s Melissa Hortman, my friend. And when you think about political violence and the statistics of political violence, you’ve got to realize the people who are behind it, and a true public servant that we lost.

Hortman and her husband, Mark were killed early Saturday at their home in Brooklyn Park.

Authorities say the alleged shooter, identified as Vance Luther Boelter, also targeted state Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, at their home in nearby Champlin. Both Hoffmans survived the attack and remain hospitalized with multiple gunshot wounds.

Klobuchar said she had spoken to mutual friends who received texts from Yvette Hoffman after surgery. John Hoffman, she added, may require additional procedures but is currently in stable condition.

According to police, Boelter was dressed in tactical gear and posed as a police officer to gain entry to the homes. A manhunt is underway, and authorities say the suspect left behind a manifesto and a hit list.

Watch above via NBC News.