Political Turmoil in Brooklyn Park: Candidates Campaign Amid Rising Violence

Sun Sep 14 2025 04:48:30 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

As a special election approaches in Brooklyn Park, candidates are confronting a climate of fear and political violence that has engulfed the community in the wake of recent high-profile assassinations.

In Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, two candidates are campaigning to fill a legislative seat left vacant by the violent deaths of State Rep. Melissa Hortman and conservative influencer Charlie Kirk. As neighborhoods are gripped by fear, the candidates emphasize the need for resilience and political dialogue, while also calling for stronger gun control measures to address rising violence.

BROOKLYN PARK, Minn. (AP) — As the nation grapples with political violence, candidates in Brooklyn Park are canvassing for a legislative seat left vacant after the tragic deaths of Rep. Melissa Hortman and conservative influencer Charlie Kirk.

Political concerns loom large as voters prepare to fill the state House seat following Hortman's assassination during a home invasion in June, underscoring the pervasive atmosphere of fear in the area.

Vance Boelter, who faces multiple charges including murder, has added to this climate of unrest after violence struck close to home. The ramifications of these events are evident on Brooklyn Park's tree-lined streets as residents express trepidation about opening their doors.

Fear in the Community

Ruth Bittner, the Republican candidate, remarked on the palpable fear among residents, stating, We are in very, very scary times. We need to move forward as a country and value the representative government we have.

Her sentiments echo the challenges of running a campaign in such volatile times, made even more poignant by the recent assassination of Kirk as he spoke at an event in Utah.

Additionally, the community is still reeling from a tragic church shooting that claimed the lives of two schoolchildren, an event that has only heightened anxiety in the area.

Democratic candidate Xp Lee, a former city council member, has also felt the weight of recent tragedies, expressing his determination to honor Hortman’s legacy by working diligently for the community.

National Response to Violence

The assassination of Charlie Kirk has reverberated across the nation, drawing condemnation from leaders on both sides of the political aisle. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz emphasized the need for respectful political discourse, decrying violence as unacceptable.

Hoffman, who survived an earlier attempted assassination alongside his wife, echoed these sentiments, highlighting the urgent need for both parties to address the hostile political climate. He advocated for a reduction in incendiary rhetoric to prevent further violence.

As the election approaches, candidates are calling for common sense approaches to gun control, with Lee advocating for a ban on assault-style weapons, reflecting a growing demand for change to ensure safety in communities throughout the nation.