DFL Rep. Kim Hicks’ home vandalized with graffiti, hate speech
ROCHESTER, Minn. (FOX 9) - Minnesota DFL Rep. Kim Hicks, who represents Rochester and the surrounding areas of District 25A, has confirmed her home was vandalized over the weekend by people wearing masks who left graffiti containing racial slurs.
What we know
Representatives for Hicks confirmed with FOX 9 that on Aug. 3, political signs in her yard, plus the siding on her home and a shed on her property were all vandalized by the masked intruders.
"My family was a victim of racist vandalism at our home this weekend. It has been a difficult two days, but then our community showed up," Rep. Hicks said as part of a statement. "My family felt so much love and support from our friends, neighbors, and even strangers who came to lend a hand."
Some of the graffiti contained racial epitaphs, with writings such as the "N-word", "white power" and swastikas, Hicks confirmed.
Hicks has said she believes the "attack was targeted" toward her, and she believes the offense was racially motivated, and a hate crime.
Hicks is married to a Black man, and has five children. She graduated from Winona State University.
Hicks responds to hate
It's been two days since state representative Kim Hicks' home was vandalized and the reality of the situation is still sinking in.
"Tiring. Exhausting. I'm ok. I'm just really sad for my community and my kids. really sad," Rep. Hicks told FOX 9.
Hicks' husband says surveillance video showed at least two people wearing masks spray painting one of their cameras before vandalizing their property.
"I was in disbelief that this would happen, and then I got upset and then when my kids came out, I got really mad then," said Lamar Hicks.
The state representative now believes her family was targeted because of their race.
"Do people do KKK and swastikas and the n-word and it not be racially motivated? You can't use hate speech and it not be racially motivated," Hicks said.
But as difficult as the last couple of days have been, the Hicks family has found comfort in their community, which came forward to help them clean up.
They believe what happened isn't representative of the city they call home.
"I hope it brings us together to talk about it. To talk about how racism isn't welcome in our town. That's not who we are," Kim Hicks.
Hicks says Rochester police are investigating the incident. Anyone with information about who is responsible for the vandalism is urged to give them a call.
Looking ahead
House DFL Representative Kim Hicks represents Rochester and the surrounding areas of District 25A.
Rep. Hicks says her family has made efforts to repair the damage, and will look to further work with her community as she serves in office, while not being "intimidated by cowards."
"The shed is repainted. The spray paint is mostly off the siding. We will replace the window. The cosmetic corrections have been made," Hicks told FOX 9. "We are better when we work together and our family – and our community – will not be intimidated by cowards. Thank you to everyone who has reached out and proven, once again, that Rochester is the best place to live."
Hicks was first elected in 2022, and is seeking reelection in November. She was the chief author of 57 bills during the 2023-24 legislative session.
Her current committee assignments in the House of Representatives include being on the Children and Families Finance and Policy Committee, Higher Education Finance and Policy Committee, Human Services Finance Committee and the Human Services Policy Committee.