The internet has a funny way of twisting the truth until it’s unrecognizable. One day you’re looking at a breaking news story about a tragic event in Minnesota, and the next, you’re drowning in a sea of social media posts claiming the suspect was a secret operative or a plant for the "other side."
This is exactly what happened with Vance Boelter.
Following the horrific shootings of Minnesota lawmakers in June 2025, people immediately started asking: was Vance Boelter a Democrat Fox News viewers were being told about? Or was he a staunch Republican? The answer isn't a simple yes or no, but the evidence points in a very specific direction that contradicts a lot of the early viral rumors.
The Viral Rumor: Was Vance Boelter a Democrat?
If you spent any time on X (formerly Twitter) or Truth Social in the days following June 14, 2025, you probably saw the claims. Conservative influencers like Benny Johnson and even U.S. Senator Mike Lee pointed to Boelter’s past appointments by Democratic governors. They used this to frame him as a "left-wing appointee."
Basically, they saw a connection to Governor Tim Walz and ran with it.
The logic was simple, if flawed: Governor Walz (a Democrat) appointed him to a board, so he must be a Democrat. But when you actually look at the facts, that narrative falls apart pretty fast.
Boelter served on the Governor’s Workforce Development Board. He was first appointed in 2016 by Governor Mark Dayton and then reappointed by Tim Walz in 2019. Here’s the kicker: that board has over 60 members. It is specifically designed to be nonpartisan and includes representatives from the private sector, labor unions, and community organizations.
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Being on that board didn't make him a "Walz associate" any more than having a driver’s license makes you an employee of the DMV.
What Fox News Actually Reported
Fox News covered the Vance Boelter story extensively, but they weren't the ones pushing the "he's a Democrat" angle. In fact, Fox News Digital and their local affiliate, FOX 9 Minneapolis, did a lot of the heavy lifting to debunk the misinformation.
While some talking heads on various networks might have speculated, the formal reporting from Fox News focused on:
- His background as a security professional and "fake cop."
- The federal indictment charging him with the murders of Melissa and Mark Hortman.
- The fact that his targets were almost exclusively Democratic lawmakers.
It’s a bit ironic. People searching for a connection between Vance Boelter and the Democratic party often cite Fox News, yet the network’s own reporting highlighted his "pro-Trump views" and his history of attending Republican rallies.
The Reality of Boelter’s Political Leanings
So, if he wasn't a Democrat, what was he?
Records and interviews with people who actually knew the man paint a very different picture. David Carlson, who was Boelter's roommate at the time of the attacks, told reporters that Boelter was a "strong supporter" of Donald Trump.
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He wasn't just a casual voter, either. Boelter had previously registered as a Republican when he lived in Oklahoma. When he moved to Minnesota, he didn't have to declare a party—Minnesota doesn't work that way—but his voting patterns remained consistent.
According to data from the Minnesota DFL (the state's Democratic party), Boelter voted in the 2024 presidential primary, but he did not vote in the Democratic primary.
The Hit List and the Manifesto
The most damning evidence against the "Boelter was a Democrat" theory comes from his own vehicle. When authorities finally caught him in Sibley County after a massive manhunt, they found a list.
It wasn't a grocery list. It was a list of dozens of targets.
The names included prominent pro-choice advocates and Democratic elected officials, including Senator Tina Smith and Representative Ilhan Omar. Investigators also found writings that expressed deep-seated anger toward the "far left."
Does that sound like the behavior of a Democratic operative? Honestly, no.
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Why the Confusion Persists
Misinformation travels faster than the truth because it’s usually more "exciting." The idea of a "left-wing gunman" attacking his own party fits a certain political narrative that some people are desperate to believe.
Furthermore, Boelter’s own words from jail didn't help. In a letter to the New York Post, he claimed the attacks "didn't involve either the Trump stuff or pro-life" issues. But law enforcement and the FBI have been very clear: the evidence suggests otherwise.
Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson described the events as "targeted political assassinations." When a guy dresses up like a cop, drives a fake patrol car, and goes to the homes of Democratic leaders with a gun, it’s hard to argue it wasn't political.
Actionable Insights: How to Spot the Spin
When stories like the Vance Boelter case break, the "was he a Democrat" or "was he a Republican" debate starts within minutes. To avoid getting sucked into the vacuum of fake news, keep these steps in mind:
- Check the Board Appointments: In many states, being appointed to a board by a Governor doesn't signify a personal relationship or shared politics. Look for the "private sector representative" tag.
- Look for Primary Data: Voter registration is public, but how someone voted in a primary is the real tell. If they didn't pull a Democratic ballot in a primary, they likely aren't a Democrat.
- Identify the Targets: Political violence almost always follows a logic. If the victims all belong to one specific party, the perpetrator is rarely a member of that same party.
- Verify via Local Affiliates: National headlines often generalize. Local outlets like FOX 9 or the Star Tribune usually have the granular details that debunk the viral memes.
Vance Boelter wasn't a Democrat, and Fox News’ actual reporting didn't claim he was. He was a man with a complex, dark history who targeted public servants based on a very specific, right-leaning animosity. Understanding that distinction is the only way to respect the memory of the victims and the truth of what happened that night in Minnesota.
Next Steps for Verification:
You can verify Boelter's voting history and board appointment records through the Minnesota Secretary of State website and the Minnesota Governor’s Office official archives. For a detailed breakdown of the federal charges, the Department of Justice (DOJ) press release from July 15, 2025, provides the full list of counts and evidence recovered from the scene.