section_path: Minnesota House of Representatives
section_name: Minnesota House of Representatives
paragraph_text: Minnesota House of Representatives
  
  Hortman was elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives in 2004, defeating Republican incumbent Stephanie Olsen, and was reelected every two years thereafter until her death. She first ran unsuccessfully in 1998, and again in 2002.
  
  Hortman served as an assistant majority leader from 2007 to 2010 and as minority whip from 2011 to 2012. From 2013 to 2014 she served as House speaker pro tempore and chaired the Energy Policy Committee. She served as deputy minority leader from 2015 to 2016. After Paul Thissen retired, Hortman was elected by her caucus to be minority leader from 2017 to 2018. When the DFL caucus retook the majority in the 2018 election, her colleagues elected her Speaker of the House.
  
  In her first term, Hortman was an outspoken advocate for the Northstar Commuter Rail line, which runs through her district. She also supported a new stadium for the Minnesota Twins. She was an advocate for environmental issues and the effort to bring the 2020 Summer Olympics to Minnesota. She was pro-choice, supported gun control policies, and opposed voter identification initiatives. In 2008, Hortman managed the DFL floor operation during a successful attempt to override then-Governor Tim Pawlenty 's veto of a gas tax increase. While chair of the Energy Policy Committee, she was the chief author of the state's solar energy standard and community solar laws.
  
  Hortman served as the minority leader of the Minnesota House of Representatives from 2017 to 2019 and as the 61st Speaker of the Minnesota House of Representatives from 2019 to 2025.
  
  In April 2017, Hortman drew attention when she criticized several Republican representatives for playing a card game in the retiring room off the House chamber during discussions on a public safety budget bill. Specifically, she called attention to the fact that the game was occurring while two Democratic women from ethnic minorities were delivering personal speeches. Hortman continued to back her statement, while some Republicans called for her to resign.
  
  In July 2020, Hortman helped negotiate a police reform bill that "limits the use of neck restraints and chokeholds, prohibits departments from offering controversial warrior-style training, and creates an independent state unit to investigate when a police officer kills someone or is accused of sexual misconduct".
  
  From the start of the 94th Minnesota Legislature in January 2025 until early February, Hortman led a boycott of House sessions to deny Republicans a quorum to conduct business. Republican Lisa Demuth was elected speaker on February 6. After a power-sharing agreement was reached, Hortman served again as minority leader until March 17, when a special election created a tie between the parties in the House; her title then changed to "DFL Leader" and she was granted significant powers alongside Demuth.
  
  Hortman was elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives in 2004, defeating Republican incumbent Stephanie Olsen, and was reelected every two years thereafter until her death. She first ran unsuccessfully in 1998, and again in 2002.
  
  Hortman served as an assistant majority leader from 2007 to 2010 and as minority whip from 2011 to 2012. From 2013 to 2014 she served as House speaker pro tempore and chaired the Energy Policy Committee. She served as deputy minority leader from 2015 to 2016. After Paul Thissen retired, Hortman was elected by her caucus to be minority leader from 2017 to 2018. When the DFL caucus retook the majority in the 2018 election, her colleagues elected her Speaker of the House.
  
  In her first term, Hortman was an outspoken advocate for the Northstar Commuter Rail line, which runs through her district. She also supported a new stadium for the Minnesota Twins. She was an advocate for environmental issues and the effort to bring the 2020 Summer Olympics to Minnesota. She was pro-choice, supported gun control policies, and opposed voter identification initiatives. In 2008, Hortman managed the DFL floor operation during a successful attempt to override then-Governor Tim Pawlenty 's veto of a gas tax increase. While chair of the Energy Policy Committee, she was the chief author of the state's solar energy standard and community solar laws.
  
  Hortman served as the minority leader of the Minnesota House of Representatives from 2017 to 2019 and as the 61st Speaker of the Minnesota House of Representatives from 2019 to 2025.
  
  In April 2017, Hortman drew attention when she criticized several Republican representatives for playing a card game in the retiring room off the House chamber during discussions on a public safety budget bill. Specifically, she called attention to the fact that the game was occurring while two Democratic women from ethnic minorities were delivering personal speeches. Hortman continued to back her statement, while some Republicans called for her to resign.
  
  In July 2020, Hortman helped negotiate a police reform bill that "limits the use of neck restraints and chokeholds, prohibits departments from offering controversial warrior-style training, and creates an independent state unit to investigate when a police officer kills someone or is accused of sexual misconduct".
  
  From the start of the 94th Minnesota Legislature in January 2025 until early February, Hortman led a boycott of House sessions to deny Republicans a quorum to conduct business. Republican Lisa Demuth was elected speaker on February 6. After a power-sharing agreement was reached, Hortman served again as minority leader until March 17, when a special election created a tie between the parties in the House; her title then changed to "DFL Leader" and she was granted significant powers alongside Demuth.