Each year, the Minnesota State Fair serves as a major space where politicians meet voters, answer questions, and campaign. But this year, the event feels different. After the tragic shootings of House DFL Leader Melissa Hortman and her husband, as well as state Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, lawmakers are approaching the fair with a new focus on safety.
For the first time, Minnesota legislators are seeing an enhanced security presence at their State Fair booths. State Patrol officers were assigned to guard the Education Building, where House and Senate booths are located. Officials also stopped posting public schedules online that previously showed which lawmakers would be staffing the booths. These changes reflect a growing concern about protecting elected leaders while they interact with Minnesotans.
U.S. Sen. Tina Smith, a longtime fairgoer, said the loss of Melissa Hortman remains painful. She described breaking into tears after seeing a crop art portrait of the late lawmaker made from seeds. Smith added that while she generally feels safe at the fair, recent events have reminded her to be more cautious.
The shootings have shaken both parties. Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan and U.S. Rep. Angie Craig visited the fair, while Republican Senate candidate Adam Schwarze admitted he felt uneasy despite strong security. Schwarze said that running for federal office comes with risks, and the recent violence in Minnesota made him more alert. “There’s only so much you can do,” he said, noting that he has spent his career focused on fighting terrorism.
The state is also considering broader changes to protect lawmakers beyond the fairgrounds. Funding has been set aside to help legislators install security systems in their homes. Officials are also reviewing safety policies at the Capitol complex, where tensions have grown in recent years following threats and swatting incidents.
Sen. Mark Koran, a Republican from North Branch, said lawmakers were already concerned about security before the shootings, but now extra precautions are unavoidable. “Today you’ll see State Patrol out here protecting legislators in a way that wasn’t here before,” he said. “Sadly, it’s necessary.”
At the fair itself, visitors already go through bag checks and metal detectors at the entrances. Some lawmakers said the added security gave them peace of mind. Rep. Paul Torkelson, who has attended the fair for 17 years, said he doesn’t feel more at risk but finds comfort in knowing officers are nearby.
Other legislators, like Rep. Roger Skraba of Ely, barely noticed the difference. “Honestly, I didn’t know,” he said when asked about the new security.
Rep. Katie Jones, a Democrat from Minneapolis, said she values the fair as a chance to build trust between elected officials and community members. While she acknowledged that dangers exist, she said she chooses to believe in the good of her fellow Minnesotans. “I want to live in a society where we do trust one another,” Jones said. “The more we get to know each other, the stronger and healthier our state will be.”
Even with the grief and fear that linger from the June shootings, the State Fair continues to be a gathering place where voters and leaders connect. The enhanced security presence may not be visible to all, but for lawmakers, it represents a necessary step to balance openness with safety.
As Minnesotans stroll through the fairgrounds, take photos with legislators, and share conversations over food stands, the hope is that community spirit will remain stronger than fear. But behind the scenes, state leaders continue searching for ways to keep both themselves and the democratic process safe.
