Indiana Lawmakers Unite to Condemn Political Violence After Minnesota Tragedy

By Think American News Staff

In the wake of a devastating act of political violence in Minnesota that left State Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband dead and seriously injured State Senator John Hoffman and his wife, leaders of Indiana’s Future Caucus are speaking out.

Representative Beau Baird (R-Greencastle) and Representative Maureen Bauer (D-South Bend), co-chairs of the bipartisan Indiana Future Caucus, released a powerful joint statement calling for unity, civility, and a collective rejection of political violence. The two lawmakers represent a growing coalition of leaders under the age of 45 committed to bridging divides and building a stronger democratic future.

“The tragedies in Minnesota yesterday were heartbreaking,” Baird wrote in a personal post before releasing the formal statement. “Before making any public statement, it was most important to first check on my friends and colleagues in that state—Democrats and Republicans alike. Many of them were woken up by calls at 5 AM urging them to seek shelter or evacuate. It’s hard to imagine, and even harder to accept that this happened in America.”

In the official statement, Baird expressed his continued commitment to bipartisan dialogue, saying, “As co-chair of the Future Caucus, my commitment to fostering critical conversations and finding common ground remains unwavering. There is absolutely no place in our democracy for violence aimed at public servants or political viewpoints.”

Rep. Bauer echoed those sentiments and called for leadership rooted in empathy and action. “Public service is both an incredible honor and a sacred trust rooted in peaceful discourse,” she said. “While we can’t legislate healing, we can create the conditions for it. Today’s violent acts threaten the very fabric of our democracy.”

Bauer also spoke to the broader implications for civic life and community engagement. “If we want to attract more young workers and families to our state, they need to believe their voices matter, and that their leaders can work together. By choosing unity over division, and collaboration over conflict, we can build a stronger, more inclusive future for every Hoosier community.”

Their statement calls on lawmakers and citizens across all ideological backgrounds to:

• Unambiguously reject political violence, no matter the motive.
• Commit to civil, respectful dialogue, even amid disagreement.
• Honor the legacy of Rep. Hortman and her husband, and support healing for their loved ones.

The release ends with a solemn reminder: “Our democracy depends not just on free debate but on the safety of those who serve. In memory of those lost, let us reaffirm our dedication to peaceful, democratic principles.”

Baird’s and Bauer’s united message stands as a rare and welcome moment of bipartisan solidarity at a time when political tensions often dominate headlines. Their words serve not only as a tribute to those impacted by the tragedy in Minnesota, but also as a rallying cry for restoring civility and safeguarding the values at the heart of American democracy.