Politics in Minnesota can feel like a small town, even when you’re talking about the most powerful person in the State House. For years, if you saw Melissa Hortman at a DFL fundraiser or a community event, you probably saw a tall, unassuming guy trailing nearby or leaning against a wall, striking up a conversation with someone who looked out of place. That was Mark Hortman.
He wasn't a politician. Honestly, he didn't seem to want to be one. But for over thirty years, he was the literal and figurative foundation for one of the most consequential legislative leaders in the state's history.
When people search for details on Melissa Hortman and her husband, they’re usually looking for the "power couple" narrative. But the truth is more grounded than that. It’s a story about a guy who played pool in Coon Rapids and a woman who once made chili-cheese burritos at a Zantigo fast-food joint before she ever picked up a gavel.
The unexpected meeting of Melissa and Mark Hortman
They didn't meet at a high-stakes political mixer. It was 1990. Melissa was interning in D.C., and Mark was working for IBM in Maryland. Both of them, coincidentally, signed up to volunteer as mentors at the same local school.
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The school matched them with the exact same student.
Kinda crazy, right? That serendipity led to an engagement only three months later. They married on August 13, 1993, and eventually settled on Windsor Terrace in Brooklyn Park—the same street where they’d live for the rest of their lives.
While Melissa climbed the ranks of the Minnesota House, eventually becoming Speaker, Mark built a career in the tech and business world. He spent a decade working for the family business, John’s Auto Parts, and later transitioned into tech roles at companies like nVent. He had a physics degree from UNC and an MBA from the Carlson School of Management. He was the "data guy" to Melissa's "policy person."
Mark Hortman: The "Giant-Killer" at the Pool Table
You can’t talk about Mark without mentioning CR’s Sports Bar in Coon Rapids. For Mark, Mondays weren't about legislative sessions; they were about the pool league.
His friends called him the "giant-killer." He wasn't the highest-rated player in the room, but he had this uncanny ability to take down the pros when the pressure was on. He was the co-captain of a team called "Aces Over Eights." To his teammates, he wasn't the "Speaker's husband." He was just Mark—the guy who loved fine whiskey, mountain biking with his son Colin, and telling incredibly cheesy dad jokes that he’d laugh at more than anyone else.
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"Mark was exactly who he appeared to be," his friend Ross Bennett once noted. He was the guy you went to at a political event when you didn't want to talk about politics.
Life behind the gavel in Brooklyn Park
The Hortman household wasn't a stuffy political salon. It was a place of Trivial Pursuit games and gourmet dinners. Melissa and Mark were deeply involved in Helping Paws, an organization that trains service dogs for veterans.
They didn't just donate money; they brought the dogs into their home. Their daughter, Sophie, partnered with Mark to train a dog named Minnie. Their own family dog, a golden retriever named Gilbert, was a constant fixture in their lives.
Melissa was known for her "sorry, not sorry" attitude on the House floor—a phrase she famously used when calling out colleagues who were playing cards in the retiring room instead of listening to debates. But at home, she was the one baking cakes and gardening. She was a mother who was immensely proud of her children: Sophie, who became a teacher focused on critical thinking, and Colin, who shared his father’s love for cooking.
Why their legacy still matters today
The tragic events of June 14, 2025, changed Minnesota’s political landscape forever. The loss of Melissa and Mark Hortman, along with their dog Gilbert, left a void that wasn't just political, but deeply personal for the Brooklyn Park community.
Melissa Hortman was the first woman to lie in state at the Minnesota State Capitol. In a historic and heartbreaking tribute, Mark and Gilbert were accorded that same honor alongside her. It was the first time a couple—and a dog—had ever been honored in the rotunda in such a way.
Key takeaways from their lives:
- Service isn't just a title: Melissa's career from a fast-food worker to Speaker shows a trajectory of grit, while Mark’s support shows that public service is a family commitment.
- Community counts: They were the first to foster neighborhood community, hosting happy hours and card games that bridged political divides.
- Quiet support is powerful: Mark didn't seek the limelight, but his "backstage" support—like setting up a database on a Palm Pilot for Melissa’s early door-knocking—was crucial to her success.
If you’re looking to honor the memory of the Hortmans, their children suggested a few very specific things that say more about them than any biography could. Visit a local park and use the bike trail. Bake some bread (Mark’s favorite) or a cake (Melissa’s favorite) and give it to a neighbor. Or, honestly, just tell a really bad joke and laugh at it yourself.
To truly understand the impact they left behind, you can look into the "Melissa Hortman Memorial Fund" which supports local advocacy for gun safety and community service initiatives in the Twin Cities.