Remembering Minnesota Representative Melissa Hortman's Legacy

A Message from Dylan McDowell, NCEL’s CEO

This week, we mourn the loss of Minnesota House Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman, who was a legendary figure in both the environmental field and the world of NCEL. Speaker Hortman and her husband, Mark, were politically targeted and assassinated in a devastating attack over the weekend that also left Senator John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, hospitalized. NCEL strongly rejects and condemns political violence of any kind. These horrific acts have no place in our democracy. 

Speaker Emerita Hortman leaves behind an incredible legacy. To honor her memory, I wanted to share some of my experiences with Speaker Hortman, not just in Minnesota but also within NCEL.

From the first day that I joined NCEL over a decade ago, it was clear that Melissa Hortman was a powerful force in policy and a powerful force for protecting nature and the environment. I had the honor of working alongside her in several roles at the organization, and I fondly remember many conversations we had about creating a better future for everyone. 

Melissa was first elected to the legislature in 2004, and started engaging with NCEL early in her career. She was known for her focus on solutions and desire to take policy information from NCEL convenings back to her state. She rose through the legislature and continued to prioritize environmental, energy, and transportation issues among other topics, eventually serving as Chair of the House Energy Committee from 2013 to 2014. She was the chief author of legislation that created Minnesota’s solar energy standard, a monumental bill signed into law in 2013. She continued to ascend in the legislature and became Speaker of the House in 2019. Melissa took full advantage of NCEL’s network and has become an example of what we hope to provide for other newly elected lawmakers rising up to become environmental leaders in their state. 

Melissa was not only a leader and an innovator in the actual practice of policymaking, but she was also a mentor. She maintained a dedicated focus on working to help build out the next generation of lawmakers and ensuring those who got elected had the resources and understanding necessary to make change of their own. It was through this network building that we were fortunate to have Melissa join NCEL’s Board of Directors for several years. 

Melissa was a board member during a pivotal time in NCEL’s existence. It was a time when we were updating our mission, refining our theory of change, and revisiting our approach in a new political era. NCEL was growing, and Melissa was a key driver in making that growth both sustainable and impactful. We had many deep conversations about how NCEL should best position itself to make change while holding true to our values, and Melissa never failed to be thoughtful and action-oriented in her approach. Her thoughts and insights helped push leadership and the board to continue strengthening our approach and led to the organization we have today. 

Melissa eventually stepped away from the Board to focus on her growing responsibilities as Speaker, and that commitment to giving her full attention is something that defined Melissa. She was honest and selfless in knowing when to step aside and how to focus on the task at hand. Many others may have tried to juggle Board service at the same time, but she was committed to her work in Minnesota while also helping NCEL grow its network in the state. She never went far from NCEL, continuing to engage with events and bring new legislators into the field. There have been many times that Minnesota has had the highest number of attendees from any state at NCEL events, and Melissa played a key role in making that possible. 

The focus on accomplishments doesn’t give enough credit to what a warm person she was and the caring nature she brought to NCEL and her work as a lawmaker. In recent days, I have connected with many current and past board members and others in the NCEL network who had the privilege of working with Melissa, and all have highlighted how her character shined bright. 

Melissa has left an incredible impact on the natural environment in Minnesota and on NCEL as an organization. Her legacy will live on. Her life was cut short through an unspeakable act of violence, but the work that Melissa started will continue into the future through the strength of NCEL as an organization, through the many lawmakers she mentored both in Minnesota and across the country, and through the countless policies she passed over the years that improve the lives of millions of people. 

Memories and Reflections

Throughout her career, Melissa worked with multiple leaders at NCEL. We are glad to create space for them to share stories and anecdotes that highlight the impact she created: 

“The world needs more leaders like Speaker Hortman. She believed deeply in the power of public policy to improve people’s lives and make the world a better place for future generations. Melissa loved learning from, and sharing her wisdom with her peers in other states, and in doing so made Minnesota a national leader on innovative climate policy. As a member of the NCEL board of directors, she helped grow the organization while adamantly protecting its independence, integrity, and reputation.”
– Jeff Mauk, previous NCEL Executive Director

“Melissa Hortman was a great Board member. She often asked incisive questions that allowed us to take a better path than where we were headed. A strong, conscientious leader, she cared deeply about the future and our planet.  I am still stunned that she is gone, but this has made me more committed than ever to not let those who would silence us stop my voice. And I will not forget Melissa.” 
– Beth Kerttula, Immediate Past President of the Board of Directors 

“I think back to her participation in our meetings from the beginning of her career and attending our Great Lakes forum year after year. I remember her thoughtful questions and her kind personality. Here is a picture I found with her and the Minnesota delegate at the Great Lakes Forum in 2007.”
– Adam Schafer, previous NCEL Executive Director