JOINT STATEMENT FROM GOPAL, DONLON, PETERPAUL ON MURDER AND SHOOTING OF MINNESOTA LAWMAKERS

For Immediate Release

June 14, 2025

TINTON FALLS, NJ - State Senator Vin Gopal (D-Monmouth), Assemblywoman Margie Donlon (D-Monmouth), and Assemblywoman Luanne Peterpaul (D-Monmouth) issued the following statement:

“We are horrified by the tragic events in Minnesota today targeting fellow state lawmakers. The politically motivated shooting of State Senator John Hoffman and his wife, and the brutal murder of Representative and former House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, threaten the very core of our democracy.

“This kind of violence has no place in our politics - not in New Jersey, and not anywhere in this country. As state legislators, our work is rooted in public service. We strongly condemn political violence and stand with our colleagues in Minnesota during this time.

“Our hearts are with the families of Speaker Emerita Hortman and her husband, Mark. We are also keeping Senator Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, in our thoughts as they recover in the hospital and pray for their speedy recovery.”

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Senator Vin Gopal, a lifelong resident of Monmouth County elected in 2018, serves as Senate Majority Whip and Chair of the Senate Education Committee. Assemblywoman Dr. Margie Donlon, a practicing physician, serves on the Assembly Health and the Tourism, Gaming & the Arts Committees; Assemblywoman Luanne Peterpaul, Esq., serves on the Assembly Commerce, Economic Development & Agriculture, Aging and Human Services, and the Financial Institutions and Insurance Committees They represent residents of Allenhurst, Asbury Park, Bradley Beach, Colts Neck, Deal, Eatontown, Fair Haven, Freehold Borough, Freehold Township, Interlaken, Loch Arbour, Long Branch, Neptune City, Neptune Township, Ocean Township, Red Bank, Shrewsbury Borough, Shrewsbury Township, and Tinton Falls in the State Senate and State Assembly.