Tag: Keith Ellison

Wardlow Shows True Colors on Gun Safety, Reverses Support for Background Checks and Accepts NRA Donations

Ellison has been a longtime advocate for common sense gun safety reforms, and will support efforts to reduce gun violence as Attorney General

MINNESOTA – Congressman Keith Ellison and gun safety advocates today called out Republican Attorney General Candidate Doug Wardlow for flip-flopping in his support for criminal background checks on all gun sales in Minnesota. Not only has Wardlow lied about his support for this common sense provision, his latest campaign finance report reveals that he did so while accepting campaign donations from the National Rifle Association (NRA).

“While 90 percent of Minnesotans rightly support common sense gun safety measures like criminal background checks, Doug Wardlow backed down as soon as the gun lobby came calling,” said Ellison. “After the tragic events of this last weekend, Minnesotans understand better than ever the need to elect a strong advocate who will protect the safety of all Minnesotans as Attorney General.”

During the KSTP Attorney General debate last Sunday, Wardlow was asked whether he would support criminal background checks on all gun sales, to which he replied: “Yes I would.” Then, this past Saturday, on the same day as a tragic and deadly act of gun violence, Wardlow backed away from this position, saying that he “absolutely [does] not support background checks for private sales” and he “[does not] support any new gun laws.” Continue reading “Wardlow Shows True Colors on Gun Safety, Reverses Support for Background Checks and Accepts NRA Donations”

Faith leaders denounce Wardlow mailers attacking Keith Ellison

Faith leaders denounce Wardlow mailers attacking Keith Ellison

Republican candidate for Attorney General Doug Wardlow. Credit: Glen Stubbe, StarTribune

A group of faith leaders on Thursday condemned mailers sent out by Republican attorney general candidate Doug Wardlow as Islamophobic and intended to spread fear.

Wardlow’s fundraising mailers lambaste his Democratic opponent, U.S. Rep. Keith Ellison, calling him “one of the most dangerous men in America” and saying he “pals around with radical Islamic groups and defends known terrorists.”

Wardlow’s mailers “are a significant departure from what America is all about. He has chosen to attack his opponent’s religion and he has chosen to attack religious institutions,” said Imam Asad Zaman, who spoke at a news conference along with two Lutheran pastors and a rabbi.

View the complete October 18 article by Jessie Van Berkel on the StarTribune website here.

Key points from the release of the Keith Ellison divorce file

The Ellisons tried to block its release, citing privacy concerns.

The file pertaining to the 2012 divorce of Keith and Kim Ellison was released on Wednesday.

A judge ordered the file be unsealed after the Star Tribune and Alpha News MN made motions for its release, arguing it serves in the public interest ahead of Ellison’s candidacy in November’s Attorney General election.

That’s because Ellison has been accused of domestic abuse by ex-girlfriend Karen Monahan, which he denies.

View the complete October 17 article by Adam Uren on the Bring Me the News website here.

DFL condemns unforgivable invasion of privacy on Ellison family

Following the release of divorce records of DFL Congressman and candidate for Attorney General Keith Ellison and Kim Ellison today, DFL Senior Advisor Charlene Briner issued the following statement:

“For months, Keith Ellison put his concern for his ex-wife and his family above his own political career. His responses may have frustrated those who wanted him to be more forthcoming about his divorce, but it is admirable that his instincts to protect his family took a higher priority than his own political aspirations.  

“The Ellison family has been subjected to unforgivable violations of privacy fueled by the most extreme elements of the right wing. Continue reading “DFL condemns unforgivable invasion of privacy on Ellison family”

Statement from Keith Ellison Regarding Release of His Divorce File

MINNESOTA – Congressman Keith Ellison, candidate for Minnesota Attorney General, today released the following statement in response to the unsealing of the divorce file of Keith and Kim Ellison.

“I am extremely disappointed that the Court has gone back on its agreement to seal Kim and my divorce file, agreeing to open it at the request of a far-right propaganda outlet with a history of racism and religious bigotry, Alpha News, and the Star Tribune.

“I understand perhaps better than most that as a public official, my personal life falls under higher scrutiny than others. But to pry into the details of a sealed divorce file that the Court previously ordered closed, on the eve of an election, is shameful and outrageous.

“Kim Ellison is a wonderful person. We met in driver’s training as teenagers and raised four beautiful children together, who are now awesome adults. We had a storybook marriage until the onset of her illness, which was not diagnosed until long after she was suffering the effects of it. One of the great regrets of my life is that I did not appreciate the debilitating effects of Kim’s illness until the doctors told us that it was Multiple Sclerosis and major depression. I attribute the difficulties in our marriage to the disease and my failure to understand it. I was not nearly sensitive enough to the symptoms of her medical condition at the time, and for that I am deeply sorry.

“Kim and I have rebuilt a strong friendship as parents to our four wonderful children. I am proud of the person Kim is. We are family, and I stand by her.”

DFL Chairman statement on Keith Ellison receiving the DFL endorsement for Minnesota Attorney General

Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor (DFL) Party Chairman Ken Martin today released the following statement on Keith Ellison receiving the DFL endorsement for Minnesota Attorney General:

“Today, members of the DFL State Central Committee endorsed Congressman Keith Ellison for Minnesota Attorney General. Our Party stands with him in his campaign and we look forward to working together to keep this seat.

“As Attorney General, Keith will be a champion for families and fight to hold powerful interests accountable. With Ellison in place as the People’s Lawyer, voters can trust that their best interests will be priority number one. From predatory landlords, to opioid manufacturers to employers with discriminatory hiring practices, Keith Ellison will ensure all Minnesotans will enjoy a fair economy and equal opportunity.