Keith Ellison | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 30th Attorney General of Minnesota | |
| Assumed office January 7, 2019 | |
| Governor | Tim Walz |
| Preceded by | Lori Swanson |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Minnesota's 5th district | |
| In office January 3, 2007 – January 3, 2019 | |
| Preceded by | Martin Olav Sabo |
| Succeeded by | Ilhan Omar |
| Deputy Chair of the Democratic National Committee | |
| In office February 25, 2017 – November 8, 2018 | |
| Chair | Tom Perez |
| Preceded by | Mike Honda (2005) |
| Succeeded by | Position abolished |
| Member of the Minnesota House of Representatives from the 58B district | |
| In office January 7, 2003 – January 3, 2007 | |
| Preceded by | Gregory Gray |
| Succeeded by | Augustine Dominguez |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Keith Maurice Ellison August 4, 1963 Detroit, Michigan, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse(s) |
Kim Ellison
(m. 1987; div. 2012) |
| Children | 4, including Jeremiah |
| Education | Wayne State University (BA) University of Minnesota (JD) |
| Website | Campaign website |
Keith Maurice Ellison (born August 4, 1963) is an American politician and lawyer serving as the 30th attorney general of Minnesota. A member of the Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party (DFL), Ellison was the U.S. representative for Minnesota's 5th congressional district from 2007 to 2019. He also served as the deputy chair of the Democratic National Committee from 2017 to 2018 and a member of the Minnesota House of Representatives from 2003 to 2007. In Congress, Ellison built a reputation as a progressive leader.[1]
Born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, Ellison moved to Minnesota for law school. In 2002, he was elected to the Minnesota House and served two terms. After longtime U.S. Representative Martin Olav Sabo announced his retirement, Ellison announced his candidacy for Congress in the 2006 election. He won the race and was reelected five times. His district included Minneapolis, the state's largest city, and its inner-ring suburbs. In Congress, Ellison was a vice-chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus and a chief deputy whip. He also sat on the House Committee on Financial Services. Ellison was the first Muslim elected to Congress[2] and the first African American representative from Minnesota.[3]
Ellison's profile was raised when he ran for chair of the Democratic National Committee in November 2016,[4] gaining support from progressive groups and U.S. senators Bernie Sanders and Chuck Schumer. His candidacy prompted renewed scrutiny of his past statements and affiliation with the Nation of Islam, which drew criticism from some moderate Democrats. Ellison lost to former Secretary of Labor Tom Perez, who subsequently appointed Ellison deputy chair, a decision approved by unanimous voice vote of DNC members.[5]
In the summer of 2018, Ellison announced that he would not seek reelection to Congress, and would run for Minnesota attorney general.[6][7] He won the Democratic primary and defeated nominee Republican Doug Wardlow in the general election, becoming the first African American elected to partisan statewide office in Minnesota, as well as the first Muslim in the U.S. to win statewide office. He was narrowly reelected in 2022 with 50.4% of the vote.
- ^ "How Keith Ellison made the Congressional Progressive Caucus into a political force that matters". MinnPost. July 21, 2015. Retrieved January 11, 2023.
- ^ Isikoff, Michael (January 4, 2007). "'I'm a Sunni Muslim'". Newsweek. New York City: Newsweek Media Group. Archived from the original on January 6, 2007 – via MSNBC.
- ^ MacFarquhar, Neil (October 11, 2006). "Muslim's Election Is Celebrated Here and in Mideast". The New York Times. New York City. Retrieved October 11, 2006.
- ^ Cunningham, Vinson (February 27, 2017). "The Protest Candidate: Is Keith Ellison's D.N.C. Run Uniting Democrats, or Deepening Their Divisions?". The Political Scene. The New Yorker. Vol. 93, no. 2. pp. 34–39.
- ^ Bradner, Eric (February 26, 2017). "Perez wins DNC chairmanship". CNN.
- ^ Ellison [@keithellison] (June 5, 2018). "Today I am announcing my candidacy to be the People's Lawyer, and to protect and defend all Minnesotans as your next Attorney General" (Tweet). Retrieved June 5, 2018 – via Twitter.
- ^ Bierschbach, Briana; Bakst, Brian; Pugmire, Tim (June 5, 2018). "Filing deadline drama: Rep. Omar jumps into race for Congress". Minnesota Public Radio. St. Paul, Minnesota: American Public Media Group. Retrieved August 19, 2018.