A bombshell claim by State Sen. John Hoffman is creating waves in the Democratic primary race for U.S. Senate.
During a rally in support of Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan on Friday, Hoffman said Flanagan’s opponent, U.S. Rep. Angie Craig, sought his endorsement last summer while he was in the hospital recovering from an assassination attempt in which he was shot nine times.
“When [Flanagan’s] opponent would check on our family, she asked for my — she asked that I endorse her campaign,” Hoffman said. “Yeah, she sent a dear friend out twice: once when I was in the ICU and once at our home. … And I’m being public about it because it really hurt me.”
State Sen. Erin Maye Quade shared a video of the remarks on TikTok:
@erinmayequade
A note about last night
♬ original sound – Erin Maye Quade
Hoffman went on to publicly endorse Flanagan on March 9.
“Categorically false”
Craig’s campaign vehemently disputed Hoffman’s version of events.
“We cannot imagine the pain and trauma that the entire Hoffman family has and continue to experience. But the claim is categorically false,” a spokesperson for Craig’s campaign said in a statement.
A text message exchange between U.S. Rep. Angie Craig and State Sen. John Hoffman. (Provided by Craig campaign)
The campaign sent 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS a screenshot of text messages Craig sent to Hoffman, once on the day of the assassination attempt, and again nearly two months later when Hoffman “began making political endorsements in other races again.”
“Cheryl and I are praying for you and Yvette and our entire state John. We are devastated by the attempt on your lives. Angie Craig,” the congresswoman texted on June 14, 2025.
The next message is dated Aug. 5, when Hoffman endorsed State Sen. Matt Klein to fill Craig’s seat in the 2nd Congressional District.
“John, again I am so grateful for your progress in your recovery,” Craig wrote. “I would love to talk with you about the open Senate race when you’re up to it. Many continued prayers. Just let me know a good time to call.”
The follow-up text did come after Hoffman’s July 7 discharge from intensive care. But in a statement on Sunday, Hoffman said those texts “do not address the substance of what I said: that a dear and trusted friend approached us twice on her behalf regarding an endorsement.”
“That friend confirmed that the endorsement requests came from Congresswoman Craig,” Hoffman continued. “Yvette was also present for these conversations. I did not invent them, and I will not allow our family’s experience to be dismissed simply because it is politically uncomfortable.”
