Parents of Shooting Victim Endorse Amy Klobuchar
Jackie Flavin and Mike Moyski support Klobuchar while criticizing Minnesota House Speaker Lisa Demuth.
Updated on Oct. 23, 2026 in Violence
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The parents of 10-year-old Harper Moyski, who was killed in a mass shooting, have officially endorsed Amy Klobuchar for governor. They stated their decision is based on her character and alignment with their gun violence prevention agenda.
Why it matters
The endorsement highlights the intense political divide over gun safety legislation in Minnesota. The parents are specifically criticizing Speaker Lisa Demuth for allegedly failing to allow a full floor vote on a key gun violence prevention package.
During the 2026 session, the Minnesota Senate passed a gun violence prevention package, yet the House held only 8 floor votes on individual components. House Democrats unsuccessfully attempted to force a full vote on the broader package.
The players
Amy Klobuchar
She is a candidate for governor of Minnesota who has pledged to sign the gun violence prevention package if elected.
Lisa Demuth
She serves as the Minnesota House Speaker and has been criticized for her handling of gun legislation during the 2026 session.
Jackie Flavin
She is the mother of Harper Moyski, a child killed in the 2025 Annunciation Catholic Church mass shooting.
Mike Moyski
He is the father of Harper Moyski, who was killed in the 2025 Annunciation Catholic Church mass shooting.
The details
Harper Moyski and 8-year-old Fletcher Merkel were killed in the August 27, 2025, mass shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church, an event where at least 29 others were injured. Following a recent debate in Rochester, the parents accused Speaker Demuth of breaking a promise regarding the legislative package.
Timeline
The 2003 shooting at the ROCORI campus occurred in Cold Spring.
A mass shooting occurred at Annunciation Catholic Church on August 27, 2025.
The Minnesota Senate passed a gun violence prevention package during the 2026 session.
A debate between Amy Klobuchar and Lisa Demuth took place on October 21, 2026.
Parents announced their endorsement of Klobuchar on October 22, 2026.
Legal Context
This political standoff follows a long history of gun violence debates in Minnesota, reaching back to the 2003 ROCORI campus shooting. The current conflict mirrors historical patterns where legislative inaction often drives high-profile endorsements during election cycles.
The endorsement highlights the ongoing legislative uncertainty surrounding gun safety measures in the state. Residents should monitor future floor proceedings in the House to see if the proposed gun violence prevention package is revisited in upcoming sessions.
The takeaway
This endorsement highlights how personal tragedies are increasingly driving specific policy debates in statewide elections. Voters should examine the voting records of legislative leaders to understand how individual components of proposed safety packages are being handled in the House.
Further reading
For more background on regional safety issues, see Minnesota Violence.
Source note: This article includes information reported by INFORUM.
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