Keith Ellison
When asked why he would want to give up his safe congressional seat to run for Minnesota attorney general, Keith Ellison (DFL) was quick to respond, “Because I feel I can do more for people faster if I am the Minnesota Attorney General.”
Ellison was in Cook County on Wednesday, July 25.
Ellison cited several examples. “As a member of Congress, I can speak out against the things that Trump is doing. I can bring forth legislation but it takes a majority just to get it to the floor, and that doesn’t mean it will ever get passed. The role of Congress is essential, and I’m not diminishing it, but at this time, for me, I can’t get fast results fast enough to protect people’s rights.
“As Minnesota attorney general I can join with other state attorneys general to sue Trump for trying to dismantle the Affordable Care Act. I can sue Betsy Devoss, Trump’s secretary of education, for allowing banks to hand out predatory loans to college kids. Other issues like DACA, the travel ban against Muslims, sex trafficking, the opioid crisis, I feel I can make more of an impact solving those issues as the state’s attorney general.”
He has been the U.S. Representative for Minnesota’s 5th Congressional District since 2007 and deputy chair of the Democratic Committee since 2017. Ellison was first elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives in 2002.
A lawyer for 26 years, Ellison said he has argued cases in front of judges. In fact, on his visit to Grand Marais, one of those former judges came to Java Moose to hear him speak. “Judge Eldrige lives here now,” said Ellison. “He left early but said it wasn’t because he was tired of hearing me speak. He had to go play golf in his senior league.”
A father of four, and the first Muslim elected to Congress, Ellison said he wants to be a voice of the people.
Consumer protection has always been a significant role of the state’s attorney general, and it will also remain so if Ellison is elected. But he also wants to use the platform to fight for people’s rights. “I want to make sure everyone has a fair chance.”
Ellison said he is no fan of photo IDs for voting. “I’m for early voting, same day registration, voting by mail. Three to five percent of potential voters don’t have photo IDs. I want those people to be able to cast a vote. We don’t have a problem with illegal voting in this country. If you do go and vote twice, it’s a felony, and you go to jail for that.”
“My goal is to be an effective attorney general for everyone living in Minnesota.”
The people he is running against, commerce commissioner Mike Rothman, state Rep. Debra Hillstrom and attorney Matt Pelikan, the party’s endorsed candidate, “Are all good people. Some of the Republicans have some odd ideas, but they are good people.”
With the August 14 primary coming up, Ellison is on a mission to get to all parts of the state. He said he is enjoying his visits with people. “I’m not making a speech and then leaving. Instead, I get to sit down and listen to people’s concerns.”
Ellison wants to serve the state and also be a counterweight to the Trump administration. But overall, he said, “My goal, if I am elected, is to be an effective attorney general for everyone living in Minnesota.”
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