Press Release

Frankfort, Kentucky (June 14, 2025) — Andy Westberry, spokesperson and communications director for the Republican Party of Kentucky (RPK), issued the following statement in response to the politically motivated assassination of former Minnesota House Speaker Hortman and her husband, as well as the shooting of State Senator Hoffman and his wife:

“The shootings that occurred in Minnesota this morning are horrific and unacceptable. The Republican Party of Kentucky extends its deepest condolences to the family of Speaker Hortman and her husband. We are also praying for the recovery of Sen. Hoffman and his wife, who were also targeted.

“I was present at the 2017 congressional baseball shooting in Washington, D.C., and have been a witness to this kind of violence. I am calling on lawmakers, commentators and political operatives to dial down the rhetoric. I hope Americans—regardless of party—will take the day to reflect on the over-the-top, sensationalized language that has become far too prevalent in our political discourse. The words we use matter, and we should all remember that what one might consider mere rhetoric may be taken by unstable individuals as a call to action.”