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DFL Party disavows machete-wielding candidate for Minnesota House
The state Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party has disavowed a local party unit’s endorsement of Judd Hoff, who is running to unseat longtime Rep. Mary Franson, R-Alexandria, in District 12B.
Hoff was convicted of second-degree assault, a felony, in 2021. The charges came after a 2020 confrontation with a man who angrily stole an American flag that Hoff displayed upside down in his car. Hoff sought to retrieve the flag with the help of a 23-inch blade.
DFL Chairman Ken Martin released a statement, calling Hoff “unfit for elected office.”
“The kind of violent and threatening behaviors that Mr. Hoff has engaged in have no place in the Minnesota DFL party. The Minnesota DFL strongly disavows this endorsement, and I have asked the local unit in question to withdraw their endorsement immediately. We all have a responsibility, regardless of party or ideology, to reject violence in our politics,” he said.
Hoff has also invaded Franson’s privacy, according to Rep. Josh Heintzeman, R-Nisswa, chair of the House Republican Campaign Committee, citing a “history of stalking and abusive behavior.”
“For years he has harassed and stalked Rep. Franson by digging through her trash, publishing her address and contact information, filming her at her private residence, and relentlessly sending rude and threatening messages online,” Heintzeman said in a statement.
No matter the opponent, Franson is likely to win reelection given the makeup of the solidly Republican central Minnesota district.
Podcaster and former GOP operative Michael Brodkorb was first to publish details of Hoff’s history.
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