Control of the Minnesota House of Representatives will once again be at stake Tuesday in a special election to replace Melissa Hortman, the former Democratic state House speaker who was slain along with her husband at their home in June. The election takes place three months after the killings, as the accused gunman faces both federal and state murder charges that could result in the federal death penalty. The suspect is also charged with the attempted murders of a Democratic state senator and his wife. Running to replace Hortman are Democrat Xp Lee, a former Brooklyn Park City Council member, and Republican Ruth Bittner, a real estate agent seeking her first elected office Lee said the gun violence is top of mind with residents he’s door knocked in recent weeks. Last month a shooter opened fire at Annunciation Catholic School in nearby Minneapolis – killing two children and injuring at least 21 others, most of them students. Days earlier an assassin fatally shot conservative activist Charlie Kirk during a campus event in Utah. “I wouldn't be running if it wasn't for the murder of Melissa Hortman,” said Lee. “I want to help our community heal again.” Lee said his campaign had considered pairing-up wile canvasing precincts, but that he hasn’t received any threats or concerning behavior. Bittner didn’t respond to invitation to speak with the Associated Press on-camera, but told a reporter over the phone that people initially seem afraid to open their doors for her campaign and questioned running after the assassination of conservative influencer Charlie Kirk but concluded "we can't cower. We can't live in fear." Hortman won reelection to the seat in November with 63% of the vote. Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris carried the district with 62% of the vote, far better than the 51% she received statewide in the contest against Donald Trump, the Republican nominee. The district includes the communities of Brooklyn Park and Champlin in Hennepin County and Coon Rapids in Anoka County. Democrats have the biggest advantage in Brooklyn Park, where both Harris and Hortman received about 64% of the vote. Champlin is the most competitive. Harris and Hortman both won there with roughly 52% of the vote.