State Senator Rob Kupec and Former State Representative Morrie Lanning React to Shooting

FARGO, N.D.  (KVRR) — “To know that they had encountered either in Representative Hortman’s case such a violent end to their life or my friend John Hoffman, you know, that he went through and endured that moment of violence. That hurts a lot,” said Rob Kupec, (D) State Senator, Moorhead.

State Senator Rob Kupec of Moorhead stepped into politics three years ago and is a friend of State Senator John Hoffman.

“He wasn’t anybody that I knew until I started running for office. But when I was running, he’s an expert within the disability community. He’s so smart in that area, and he helped me prep for a forum on that. And then very shortly after I was elected, we got together one on one. We’ve done a lot of things just together in the legislature. He’s a really nice guy,” said Kupec.

For former State Representative Morrie Lanning, public service had been in his life for nearly forty years. But Lanning said when politics became more polarized, he decided to leave.

“People need to be more civil in our discourse with each other about what should or shouldn’t be done. And unfortunately, there’s been less of that than there needs to be, and so that really has to change. I always had a lot of respect for her. Even though we disagreed from time to time about things, I’ve never saw that get out of hand. And so, I feel so terrible for her family and for all who have supported her along the way. This has just been a horrible thing,” said Morrie Lanning, (R)  Former State Representative, Moorhead.

Kupec says over the weekend, many law enforcement agencies from across the state had contacted lawmakers to talk about safety and provide help if needed.