Full Breakdown
Endorsement Request Amid a Family’s Recovery
7/28/2026, 1:40:10 PM
The Endorsement Request Controversy
Democratic Minnesota state Sen. John Hoffman alleged that Rep. Angie Craig, D-Minn., asked him for a U.S. Senate endorsement while he was in intensive care after the June 2025 shooting that wounded him, his wife Yvette and their daughter Hope. Hoffman said a “dear and trusted friend” conveyed the request twice—once in the ICU and again after he returned home. He characterized the outreach as “dishonest” because it followed a condolence message.
Background: Shooting and Legal Aftermath
In June 2025, a gunman opened fire on the Hoffmans, killing House Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark Hortman and wounding the Hoffmans. The shooter, Vance Boelter, pleaded guilty to six federal counts and received two consecutive life sentences plus 40 years. Hoffman remained in intensive care until his release on July 7, after which he resumed limited political activity.
Official Statements & Responses
- A spokesperson for Rep. Craig called Hoffman’s claim “categorically false” and said Craig’s only contact was a sympathy message sent on June 14, the day of the shooting, followed by a later text on August 5 expressing willingness to discuss the race.
- Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan’s office responded, “That’s a matter between Congresswoman Craig and the Hoffmans.” Flanagan’s own outreach, according to Hoffman, was purely to check on the family.
- State Sen. Erin Maye Quade recounted visiting Hoffman in late July and hearing his account of a surrogate from Craig’s campaign requesting the endorsement, describing the episode as “inappropriate.”
Verbatim Quotes
- “When [Craig] said she wanted my endorsement, she was doing that during moments when our family’s story had high visibility, and that’s all you need to know that the difference is between the opponent that Peggy has and Peggy Flanagan. Because Peggy Flanagan, she checked on us out of her love for how we were doing and if we were OK,” — Sen. John Hoffman, out to senator
- “It is dishonest to give condolences and then immediately ask for endorsement like her text showed,” — Sen. John Hoffman, out to senator
- “He had mentioned that there was a friend of his that had come, who was also a surrogate and working with Angie’s campaign, and had asked him for his endorsement. We were both like, ‘Oh, it’s so inappropriate,’ and he was like: ‘I know. I think he felt really bad about doing it,’” — Sen. Erin Maye Quade
- “My remarks were about that contrast, and I remain accountable for every word I said,” — Sen. John Hoffman, out to senator
Timeline of Key Events
- June 2025 – Shooting of John Hoffman, Yvette Hoffman and Hope Hoffman; Craig’s campaign texts a condolence message on June 14.
- July 7 – Hoffman released from intensive care.
- August 5 (scheduled) – Craig’s campaign sends a follow-up text offering to discuss the Senate race.
The dispute centers on whether Craig’s campaign combined sympathy with a political request, a point Hoffman says left a “painful impression” on his recovering family, while Craig’s team maintains the outreach was limited to expressions of support.
