Democratic candidate XP Lee defeated Republican Ruth Bittner in the suburbs of the Minneapolis district

The Democrats will retain the legislative seat once held by Melissa Hortman, the former Democratic president of Minnesota who, with her husband, was killed at their home in June in what the prosecutors describe as a political assassination.

The candidate of the Democratic Party, XP Lee, beat the Nominine Republican Ruth Bittner during a special election Tuesday in a suburban district of the House of Minneapolis, according to the Associated Press.

Lee’s victory in the Blue-Leaning district will once again involve the Minnesota house, with Democrats and Republicans each holding 67 seats in the room. And he will restore a power sharing agreement between the two hammered parties after the Democrats have lost their majority in the 2024 elections.

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XP Lee, a democratic candidate for the Minnesota House District 34b, hits the doors during the campaign in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, Thursday, September 11, 2025. (AP photo / Mark Vancleave)

The special election took place a week after the assassination of the Brands of Firebrand, the commentator and the co -founder of Turning Point USA, Charlie Kirk, rocked the nation and pushed the murder of Hortman under the spotlight.

Click here for Fox News Live updates on Charlie Kirk’s assassination

The prosecutors accused that the alleged shooter Vance Boelter has usurped the identity of a police officer when he realized what they call the “political assassinations” of Hortman and her husband, Mark. Boelter is also accused of shooting and injuring Senator John Hoffman and his wife Yvette in their neighboring house.

The former Democratic president of the Minnesota Chamber, Melissa Hortman, seen in the Legislative Assembly in 2019, was murdered at home, with her husband, Mark, in June. (Photo / jim mone, file)

Lee, who was born in a refugee camp in Thailand after his family fled the Vietnam War, said at the AP before the elections that Hortman’s inheritance continued was a major motivation factor in his campaign.

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“I would not run if it was not for the murder of Melissa Hortman. So I am very aware of political and armed violence. So I want to help our community to cure,” said Lee.

Republican candidate Ruth Bittner, who presents herself for the seat of the House District 34B, speaks with a potential voter while hitting the gates of Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, Thursday, August 28, 2025. (Nathaniel Minor / Star Tribune via AP)

Bittner, a real estate agent, told public radio in Minnesota that Hortman “was a very unique individual. We will not try to replace it.”

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Minnesota was also shaken by violence at the end of last month, when two young schoolchildren were killed and 21 people injured in a shooting at the Catholic School Annunciation in Minneapolis.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.