Keith Ellison (Minnesota)

Keith Ellison

Democratic Party

Attorney General of Minnesota

Tenure

2019 - Present

Term ends

2027

Years in position

5

Prior offices

Minnesota House of Representatives

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U.S. House Minnesota District 5

Successor: Ilhan Omar

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Compensation

Base salary

$121,248

Elections and appointments

Last elected

November 8, 2022

Education

Bachelor's

Wayne State University

Law

University of Minnesota

Personal

Religion

Muslim

Profession

Attorney

Contact

Official website

Official Facebook

Official Twitter

Official YouTube

Campaign website

Campaign Facebook

Campaign Twitter

Campaign Instagram

Campaign YouTube

Personal LinkedIn

Keith Ellison (Democratic Party) is the Attorney General of Minnesota. He assumed office on January 7, 2019. His current term ends on January 4, 2027.

Ellison (Democratic Party) ran for re-election for Attorney General of Minnesota. He won in the general election on November 8, 2022.

Prior to his election as attorney general, Ellison served as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, representing Minnesota's 5th Congressional District from 2007 to 2019. Ellison served as one of the chief deputy whips of the Democratic caucus for the 113th Congress.

Ellison also served as deputy chairman of the Democratic National Committee (DNC). He campaigned for the DNC chairmanship in 2017, but he lost on the second round of voting to former U.S. Secretary of Labor Tom Perez. Following the election, Perez named Ellison as his deputy chairman on February 25, 2017.

Biography

Ellison was born in 1963 in Detroit, Michigan. He earned his B.A. from Wayne State University in 1986 and his J.D. from the University of Minnesota in 1990. Prior to his political career, Ellison worked as an attorney.

Career

Below is an abbreviated outline of Ellison's academic, professional, and political career:

• 2019-present: Attorney general of Minnesota
• 2007-2019: U.S. Representative from Minnesota's 5th Congressional District
• 2003-2006: Minnesota House of Representatives

Committee assignments

U.S. House

2017-2018

At the beginning of the 115th Congress, Ellison was assigned to the following committees:

• Committee on Financial Services

2015-2016

Ellison served on the following committees:

• Financial Services Committee
  • Subcommittee on Capital Markets and Government Sponsored Enterprises
  • Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance
  • Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations
  • Task Force to Investigate Terrorism Financing

2013-2014

Ellison served on the following committees:

• Financial Services Committee
  • Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Consumer Credit
  • Subcommittee on Capital Markets and Government Sponsored Enterprises
  • Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations

2011-2012

Ellison served on the following House committees:

• Financial Services Committee
  • Subcommittee on Capital Markets and Government Sponsored Enterprises
  • Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations

Key votes

See also: Key votes

Ballotpedia monitors legislation that receives a vote and highlights the ones that we consider to be key to understanding where elected officials stand on the issues. To read more about how we identify key votes, click here.

Key votes: 115th Congress, 2017-2018

For detailed information about each vote, click here.

• Votes on domestic policy (click to expand)

  Did not vote on: Agriculture and Nutrition Act of 2018 (Conference report) (HR 2)

   Bill Passed (369-47) on December 12, 2018

  Proposed providing funding for commodity support, conservation, trade and international food aid, nutrition assistance, farm credit, rural development, research and extension activities, forestry, horticulture, and crop insurance through fiscal year 2023.

  Voted Nay on: Agriculture and Nutrition Act of 2018 (HR 2 (second vote))

   Bill Passed (213-211) on June 21, 2018

  Proposed providing funding for commodity support, conservation, trade and international food aid, nutrition assistance, farm credit, rural development, research and extension activities, forestry, horticulture, and crop insurance. It also proposed modifying the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, previously known as the food stamp program.

  Voted Nay on: Securing America’s Future Act of 2018 (HR 4760)

   Bill Failed (193-231) on June 21, 2018

  Proposed funding a border wall, limiting legal immigration, a mandatory worker verification program, allowing DACA recipients to apply for legal status, and preventing separation of families at the border.

  Did not vote on: Agriculture and Nutrition Act of 2018 (HR 2)

   Bill Passed (369-47) on December 12, 2018

  Reauthorizes through FY2023 and modifies some Department of Agriculture (USDA) programs.

  Voted Nay on: Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act (HR 36)

   Bill Passed (237-189) on October 3, 2017

  Proposed amending the federal criminal code to make it a crime for any person to perform or attempt to perform an abortion if the probable post-fertilization age of the fetus was 20 weeks or more. The bill provided exceptions for an abortion: (1) that was necessary to save the life of the pregnant woman, or (2) when the pregnancy was the result of rape or incest.

  Voted Nay on: Kate's Law (HR 3004)

   Bill Passed (257-167) on June 29, 2017

  Proposed increasing criminal penalties for individuals in the country illegally who were convicted of certain crimes, deported, and then re-entered the U.S. illegally.

  Voted Nay on: No Sanctuary for Criminals Act (HR 3003)

   Bill Passed (228-195) on June 29, 2017

  Proposed withholding federal funds from states and localities that chose not to follow federal immigration laws.

  Voted Nay on: American Health Care Act of 2017 (HR 1628)

   Bill passed (217-213) on May 4, 2017

  Proposed modifying the budgetary and fiscal provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as Obamacare.

• Votes on economic affairs and regulations (click to expand)

  Voted Yea on: Department of Defense and Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Act, 2019 (Conference report) (HR 6157)

   Bill Passed (361-61) on September 26, 2018

  Proposed authorizing FY2019 appropriations and policies for the Departments of Defense, Health and Human Services (HHS), Labor, and Education.

  Did not vote on: Energy and Water, Legislative Branch, and Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act, 2019 (Conference report) (HR 5895)

   Bill Passed (377-20) on September 13, 2018

  Proposed authorizing FY2019 appropriations and policies for the Department of Energy, water resources, the legislative branch, military construction, and the Department of Veterans Affairs, among other programs.

  Did not vote on: Department of Defense and Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Act, 2019 (HR 6157)

   Bill Passed (359-49) on June 28, 2018

  Proposed authorizing FY2019 appropriations and policies for the Departments of Defense, Health and Human Services (HHS), Labor, and Education.

  Voted Nay on: Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2019 (HR 5895)

   Bill Passed (235-179) on June 8, 2018

  Proposed authorizing FY2019 appropriations and policies for the Department of Energy, water resources, the legislative branch, military construction, and the Department of Veterans Affairs, among other programs.

  Voted Nay on: Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act (S 2155)

   Bill Passed (258-159) on May 22, 2018

  Proposed exempting some banks from the Dodd–Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act

  Voted Nay on: Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018 (HR 1625)

   Bill Passed (256-167) on March 22, 2018

  Proposed providing appropriations for fiscal year 2018, and for other purposes.

  Voted Nay on: The Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 (HR 1892)

   Bill Passed (240-186) on February 9, 2018

  Proposed providing appropriations through March 23, 2018.

  Voted Nay on: Further Extension Of Continuing Appropriations Act, 2018 (HR 1892)

   Bill Passed (245-182) on February 6, 2018

  Proposed providing appropriations through March 23, 2018.

  Voted Nay on: Making further continuing appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2018, and for other purposes. (HR 195)

   Bill Passed (266-150) on January 22, 2018

  Proposed providing further continuing appropriations through February 8, 2018.

  Voted Nay on: Making further continuing appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2018, and for other purposes. (HR 195)

   Bill Passed (230-197) on January 18, 2018

  Proposed providing further continuing appropriations through February 16, 2018.

  Voted Nay on: Further Additional Continuing Appropriations Act, 2018 (HR 1370)

   Bill Passed (231-188) on December 21, 2017

  Proposed providing further continuing appropriations through January 19, 2018.

  Voted Nay on: Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (HR 1)

   Bill Passed (227-203) on December 19, 2017

  Proposed providing for reconciliation pursuant to titles II and V of the concurrent resolution on the budget for fiscal year 2018.

  Voted Nay on: Making further continuing appropriations for fiscal year 2018, and for other purposes (HJ Res 123)

   Bill Passed (235-193) on December 7, 2017

  Proposed funding the government until December 22, 2017.

  Voted Nay on: Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (HR 1)

   Bill Passed (227-205) on November 16, 2017

  Proposed amending the Internal Revenue Code to reduce tax rates and modify policies, credits, and deductions for individuals and businesses.

  Voted Nay on: Establishing the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2018 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2019 through 2027. (H Con Res 71)

   Bill Passed (216-212) on October 26, 2017

  Proposed establishing the congressional budget for the federal government for FY2018 and setting forth budgetary levels for FY2019-FY2027. (This bill proposed adopting the Senate's budget resolution.)

  Voted Nay on: Establishing the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2018 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2019 through 2027. (H Con Res 71)

   Bill Passed (219-206) on October 5, 2017

  Proposed establishing the congressional budget for the federal government for FY2018 and setting forth budgetary levels for FY2019-FY2027.

  
  

  Voted Nay on: Make America Secure and Prosperous Appropriations Act, 2018 (HR 3354)

   Bill Passed (211-198) on September 14, 2017

  Proposed providing FY2018 appropriations for the federal government. It combined 12 appropriations bills.

  Voted Yea on: Disaster Relief Appropriations Act, 2017 (Included amendments to suspend the debt ceiling and fund the government) (HR 601)

   Bill Passed (316-90) on September 8, 2017

  Proposed suspending the debt ceiling and funding the government until December 8, 2017, and providing funding for Hurricanes Harvey and Irma relief efforts.

  Voted Yea on: Disaster Relief Appropriations Act, 2017 (HR 601)

   Bill Passed (419-3) on September 6, 2017

  Proposed providing $7.85 billion for disaster relief requirements, including response and recovery efforts from Hurricane Harvey.

  Voted Nay on: Financial CHOICE Act of 2017 (HR 10)

   Bill passed (233-186) on June 8, 2017

  Proposed amending the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, among other acts.

  Voted Nay on: Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2017 (HR 244)

   Bill passed (309-118) on May 3, 2017

  Proposed a $1.2 trillion budget to fund the government through the end of the fiscal year on September 30, 2017.

• Votes on foreign policy and national security issues (click to expand)

  Voted Nay on: National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (HR 5515)

   Bill Passed (351-66) on May 24, 2018

  Proposed authorizing FY2019 appropriations and policies for Department of Defense (DOD) programs and activities

  Voted Nay on: Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2018 (HR 695)

   Bill Passed (250-166) on January 30, 2018

  Proposed providing appropriations for military functions administered by the Department of Defense and for other purposes, for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2018.

  
  

  Voted Nay on: National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018—Conference report (HR 2810)

   Bill Passed (356-70) on November 14, 2017

  Proposed authorizing FY2018 appropriations and setting forth policies for Department of Defense (DOD) programs and activities, including military personnel strengths.

  Voted Nay on: Make America Secure Appropriations Act, 2018 (HR 3219)

   Bill Passed (235-192) on July 27, 2017

  Proposed making appropriations for defense, military construction, Veterans Affairs, the Legislative Branch, energy and water development, and for other purposes for the fiscal year ending on September 30, 2018.

  Voted Yea on: Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (HR 3364)

   Bill Passed (419-3) on July 25, 2017

  Proposed providing congressional review and measures to counter aggression by the governments of Iran, the Russian Federation, and North Korea, and for other purposes.

  Voted Nay on: Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018 (HR 3180, second vote)

   Bill Passed (380-35) on July 28, 2017

  Proposed authorizing appropriations for fiscal year 2018 for intelligence and intelligence-related activities of the United States Government, the Community Management Account, and the Central Intelligence Agency Retirement and Disability System, and for other purposes.

  Voted Nay on: Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018 (HR 3180)

   Bill Failed (241-163) on July 24, 2017

  Proposed authorizing appropriations for fiscal year 2018 for intelligence and intelligence-related activities of the United States Government, the Community Management Account, and the Central Intelligence Agency Retirement and Disability System, and for other purposes.

  Voted Nay on: National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018 (HR 2810)

   Bill Passed (344-81) on July 14, 2017

  Proposed authorizing fiscal year 2018 appropriations and setting forth policies for Department of Defense (DOD) programs and activities, including military personnel strengths. It did not provide budget authority.

  Voted Nay on: Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2017 (HR 1301)

   Bill passed (371-48) on March 8, 2017

  The $577.9 billion fiscal year 2017 defense spending bill proposed $516.1 billion in base budget funding and $61.8 billion for Overseas Contingency Operations/ Global War on Terrorism funding.

Key votes: Previous sessions of Congress

Key votes (click "show" to expand or "hide" to contract)

114th Congress The first session of the 114th Congress enacted into law six out of the 2,616 introduced bills (0.2 percent). Comparatively, the 113th Congress had 1.3 percent of introduced bills enacted into law in the first session. In the second session, the 114th Congress enacted 133 out of 3,159 introduced bills (4.2 percent). Comparatively, the 113th Congress had 7.0 percent of introduced bills enacted into law in the second session. For more information pertaining to Ellison's voting record in the 114th Congress, please see the below sections. Economic and fiscal Trade Act of 2015 See also: The Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal, 2015 Trade adjustment assistance On June 12, 2015, the House rejected the trade adjustment assistance (TAA) measure in HR 1314—the Trade Act of 2015—by a vote of 126-302. Trade adjustment assistance (TAA) is a federal program providing American workers displaced by foreign trade agreements with job training and services. The measure was packaged with trade promotion authority (TPA), also known as fast-track authority. TPA is a legislative procedure that allows Congress to define "U.S. negotiating objectives and spells out a detailed oversight and consultation process for during trade negotiations. Under TPA, Congress retains the authority to review and decide whether any proposed U.S. trade agreement will be implemented," according to the Office of the United States Trade Representative. Ellison was one of 144 Democrats to vote against the bill. Trade promotion authority On June 12, 2015, the House passed the trade promotion authority (TPA) measure in HR 1314—the Trade Act of 2015 —by a vote of 219-211. TPA gives the president fast-track authority to negotiate trade agreements sent to Congress without the opportunity for amendment or filibuster. Although the House approved TPA, it was a largely symbolic vote given the measure was part of a package trade bill including trade adjustment assistance (TAA), which was rejected earlier the same day. Ellison was one of 157 Democrats to vote against the measure. Trade promotion authority second vote After the trade adjustment assistance (TAA) and trade promotion authority (TPA) did not pass the House together on June 12, 2015, representatives voted to authorize TPA alone as an amendment to HR 2146—the Defending Public Safety Employees' Retirement Act—on June 18, 2015. The amendment passed by a vote of 218-208, with all voting members of the House maintaining his or her original position on TPA except for Ted Yoho (R-Fla.). Ellison was one of 158 Democrats to vote against the amendment. Trade adjustment assistance second vote The House passed HR 1295—the Trade Preferences Extension Act of 2015—on June 25, 2015, by a vote of 286-138. The Senate packaged trade adjustment assistance (TAA) in this bill after the House rejected the TAA measure in HR 1314—the Trade Act of 2015. Along with trade promotion authority (TPA), which Congress passed as part of HR 2146—the Defending Public Safety Employees' Retirement Act—TAA became law on June 29, 2015. Ellison was one of 175 Democrats to vote in favor of HR 1295. Defense spending authorization On May 15, 2015, the House passed HR 1735—the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016—by a vote of 269-151. The bill "authorizes FY2016 appropriations and sets forth policies for Department of Defense (DOD) programs and activities, including military personnel strengths. It does not provide budget authority, which is provided in subsequent appropriations legislation." Ellison voted with 142 other Democrats and eight Republicans against the bill. The Senate passed the bill on June 18, 2015, by a vote of 71-25. President Barack Obama vetoed the bill on October 22, 2015. On November 5, 2015, the House passed S 1356—the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016—by a vote of 370-58. The second version of the $607 billion national defense bill included $5 billion in cuts to match what was approved in the budget and language preventing the closure of the Guantanamo Bay military prison. Ellison voted with 48 other Democrats and nine Republicans against the bill. On November 10, 2015, the Senate passed the bill by a vote of 91-3, and President Barack Obama signed it into law on November 25, 2015. 2016 Budget proposal On April 30, 2015, the House voted to approve SConRes11, a congressional budget proposal for fiscal year 2016, by a vote of 226-197. The non-binding resolution was designed to create 12 appropriations bills to fund the government. All 183 Democrats who voted, including Ellison, voted against the resolution. 2015 budget On October 28, 2015, the House passed HR 1314—the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015—by a vote of 266-167. The bill increased military and domestic spending levels and suspended the debt ceiling until March 2017. Ellison voted with 186 Democrats and 79 Republicans in favor of the bill. It passed the Senate on October 30, 2015. President Barack Obama signed it into law on November 2, 2015. Foreign Affairs Iran nuclear deal See also: Iran nuclear agreement, 2015 On May 14, 2015, the House approved HR 1191—the Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act of 2015—by a vote of 400-25. The bill required President Barack Obama to submit the details of the nuclear deal with Iran for congressional review. Congress had 60 days to review the deal and vote to approve, disapprove, or take no action on the deal. During the review period, sanctions on Iran could not be lifted. Ellison voted with five other Democrats against the bill. Approval of Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action On September 11, 2015, the House rejected HR 3461—To approve the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, signed at Vienna on July 14, 2015, relating to the nuclear program of Iran—by a vote of 162-269. The legislation proposed approving the nuclear agreement with Iran. Ellison voted with 161 Democrats for the bill. Suspension of Iran sanctions relief On September 11, 2015, the House approved HR 3460—To suspend until January 21, 2017, the authority of the President to waive, suspend, reduce, provide relief from, or otherwise limit the application of sanctions pursuant to an agreement related to the nuclear program of Iran—by a vote of 247-186. HR 3460 prohibited "the President, prior to January 21, 2017, from: limiting the application of specified sanctions on Iran or refraining from applying any such sanctions; or removing a foreign person (including entities) listed in Attachments 3 or 4 to Annex II of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPA) from the list of designated nationals and blocked persons maintained by the Office of Foreign Asset Control of the Department of the Treasury." Ellison voted with 185 Democrats against the bill. Presidential non-compliance of section 2 On September 10, 2015, the House passed H Res 411—Finding that the President has not complied with section 2 of the Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act of 2015—by a vote of 245-186. Section 2 of the Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act of 2015 required the president to submit all materials related to the nuclear agreement for congressional review. House Republicans introduced the resolution because two agreements between the International Atomic Energy Agency and Iran were not submitted to Congress. Ellison voted with 185 Democrats against the resolution. Export-Import Bank On October 27, 2015, the House passed HR 597—the Export-Import Bank Reform and Reauthorization Act of 2015—by a vote of 313-118. The bill proposed reauthorizing the Export-Import Bank and allowing it to resume offering assistance in the form of loans and insurance to foreign companies that wanted to buy U.S. goods. Ellison voted with 185 Democrats and 127 Republicans in favor of the bill. Domestic USA FREEDOM Act of 2015 On May 13, 2015, the House passed HR 2048—the Uniting and Strengthening America by Fulfilling Rights and Ensuring Effective Discipline Over Monitoring Act of 2015 or the USA FREEDOM Act of 2015—by a vote of 338-88. The legislation revised HR 3199—the USA PATRIOT Improvement and Reauthorization Act of 2005—by ending the bulk collection of metadata under Sec. 215 of the act, requiring increased reporting from the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court, and requiring the use of "a specific selection term as the basis for national security letters that request information from wire or electronic communication service providers, financial institutions, or consumer reporting agencies." Ellison voted with 40 Democrats and 47 Republicans against the legislation. It became law on June 2, 2015. Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act On May 13, 2015, the House passed HR 36—the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act—by a vote of 242-184. The bill proposed prohibiting abortions from being performed after a fetus was determined to be 20 weeks or older. The bill proposed exceptions in cases of rape, incest, or to save the life of the mother. Ellison voted with 179 Democrats against the bill. Cyber security On April 23, 2015, the House passed HR 1731—the National Cybersecurity Protection Advancement Act of 2015—by a vote of 355-63. The bill proposed creating an information sharing program that would allow federal agencies and private entities to share information about cyber threats. It also proposed including liability protections for companies. Ellison voted with 43 Democrats and 19 Republicans against the bill. On April 22, 2015, the House passed HR 1560—the Protecting Cyber Networks Act—by a vote of 307-116. The bill proposed procedures that would allow federal agencies and private entities to share information about cyber threats. Ellison voted with 78 Democrats and 37 Republicans against the bill. Immigration On November 19, 2015, the House passed HR 4038 - the American SAFE Act of 2015 by a vote of 289-137. The bill proposed instituting additional screening processes for refugees from Iraq and Syria who apply for admission to the U.S. Ellison and five other Democrats did not vote. 113th Congress The second session of the 113th Congress enacted into law 224 out of the 3215 introduced bills (7 percent). Comparatively, the 112th Congress had 4.2 percent of introduced bills enacted into law in the second session. For more information pertaining to Ellison's voting record in the 113th Congress, please see the below sections. National security NDAA Ellison voted in opposition of HR 1960 - the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2014. The bill passed the House on June 14, 2013, with a vote of 315 - 108. Both parties were somewhat divided on the vote. DHS Appropriations Ellison voted in opposition of HR 2217 - the DHS Appropriations Act of 2014. The bill passed the House on June 6, 2013, with a vote of 245 - 182 and was largely along party lines. Keystone Pipeline Amendment Ellison voted in favor of House Amendment 69, which would have amended HR 3 to "require that the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, in consultation with the Department of Homeland Security, conduct a study of the vulnerabilities of the Keystone XL pipeline to a terrorist attack and certify that necessary protections have been put in place." The amendment failed on May 22, 2013, with a vote of 176 - 239 and was largely along party lines. CISPA (2013) Ellison voted in opposition of HR 624 - the CISPA (2013). The bill passed the House on April 18, 2013, with a vote of 288 - 127. The bill permitted federal intelligence agencies to share cybersecurity intelligence and information with private entities and utilities. The bill was largely supported by Republicans, but divided the Democratic Party. Economy Farm Bill See also: United States Farm Bill 2013 Ellison voted against the Farm Bill on July 11, 2013. The bill passed in a 216-208 vote. The bill passed included farm policy, but did not include food stamps. Government shutdown See also: United States budget debate, 2013 On September 30, 2013, the House passed a final stopgap spending bill before the shutdown went into effect. The bill included a one-year delay of the Affordable Care Act's individual mandate and would have also stripped the bill of federal subsidies for congressional members and staff. It passed through the House with a vote of 228-201. At 1 a.m. on October 1, 2013, one hour after the shutdown officially began, the House voted to move forward with going to a conference. In short order, Sen. Harry Reid rejected the call to conference. Ellison voted against the stopgap spending bill that would have delayed the individual mandate. The shutdown ended on October 16, 2013, when the House took a vote on HR 2775 after it was approved by the Senate. The bill to reopen the government lifted the $16.7 trillion debt limit and funded the government through January 15, 2014. Federal employees also received retroactive pay for the shutdown period. The only concession made by Senate Democrats was to require income verification for Obamacare subsidies. The House passed the legislation shortly after the Senate, by a vote of 285-144, with all 144 votes against the legislation coming from Republican members. Ellison voted for HR 2775. Immigration Morton Memos Prohibition Ellison voted against House Amendment 136 - Prohibits the Enforcement of the Immigration Executive Order. The amendment was adopted by the House on June 6, 2013, with a vote of 224 - 201. The purpose of the amendment as stated on the official text is to "prohibit the use of funds to finalize, implement, administer, or enforce the Morton Memos." These memos would have granted administrative amnesty to certain individuals residing in the United States without legal status. The vote largely followed party lines. Healthcare Repealing Obamacare Ellison has voted against all attempts to repeal or delay the implementation of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Social issues Violence Against Women Act Ellison voted to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act which provides aid to prosecute cases of violent acts against women and men. Abortion Ellison voted against HR 1797 - Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act. The resolution passed the House on June 18, 2013, with a vote of 228 - 196. The purpose of the bill was to ban abortions that would take place 20 or more weeks after fertilization. Previous congressional sessions Fiscal Cliff Ellison voted for the fiscal cliff compromise bill, which made permanent most of the Bush tax cuts originally passed in 2001 and 2003 while also raising tax rates on the highest income levels. He was one of 172 Democrats who voted in favor of the bill. The bill was passed in the House by a 257-167 vote on January 1, 2013.

Elections

2022

See also: Minnesota Attorney General election, 2022

General election

General election for Attorney General of Minnesota

Incumbent Keith Ellison defeated Jim Schultz and Laurice Anderson in the general election for Attorney General of Minnesota on November 8, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Keith Ellison (D)	50.4	1,254,371
		Jim Schultz (R)	49.5	1,233,556
		Laurice Anderson (Independent) (Write-in)	0.0	12
		Other/Write-in votes	0.1	2,362

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 2,490,301
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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Attorney General of Minnesota

Incumbent Keith Ellison defeated Bill Dahn in the Democratic primary for Attorney General of Minnesota on August 9, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Keith Ellison	89.3	378,367
		Bill Dahn	10.7	45,110

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 423,477
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Republican primary election

Republican primary for Attorney General of Minnesota

Jim Schultz defeated Doug Wardlow and Sharon Anderson in the Republican primary for Attorney General of Minnesota on August 9, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Jim Schultz	52.5	163,944
		Doug Wardlow	34.8	108,537
		Sharon Anderson	12.7	39,723

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 312,204
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Dennis Smith (R)
• Tad Jude (R)
• Lynne Torgerson (R)

2018

See also: Minnesota Attorney General election, 2018

General election

General election for Attorney General of Minnesota

Keith Ellison defeated Doug Wardlow and Noah Johnson in the general election for Attorney General of Minnesota on November 6, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Keith Ellison (D)	49.0	1,249,407
		Doug Wardlow (R)	45.1	1,150,459
		Noah Johnson (Grassroots Party)	5.7	145,748
		Other/Write-in votes	0.2	6,158

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 2,551,772 (100.00% precincts reporting)
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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Attorney General of Minnesota

Keith Ellison defeated Debra Hilstrom, Tom Foley, Matt Pelikan, and Mike Rothman in the Democratic primary for Attorney General of Minnesota on August 14, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Keith Ellison	49.8	281,142
		Debra Hilstrom	19.1	108,048
		Tom Foley	12.5	70,786
		Matt Pelikan	10.6	59,876
		Mike Rothman	7.9	44,522

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 564,374
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Lori Swanson (D)
• Ryan Winkler (D)
• Sam Clark (D)

Republican primary election

Republican primary for Attorney General of Minnesota

Doug Wardlow defeated Sharon Anderson and Robert Lessard in the Republican primary for Attorney General of Minnesota on August 14, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Doug Wardlow	46.3	135,971
		Sharon Anderson	32.1	94,245
		Robert Lessard	21.7	63,722

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 293,938
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic National Committee chair election, 2017

See also: Democratic National Committee chair election, 2017

The more than 400 members of the Democratic National Committee (DNC) selected a new chair to succeed interim Chairwoman Donna Brazile on February 25, 2017. As of December 2016, Ellison was a leading candidate for the position.

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio endorsed Ellison for DNC chair. "The Democratic Party stands at a crossroads, and needs leadership that will expand our vision to more Americans -- while also intensifying our commitment to our core values. Keith Ellison is that leader," said de Blasio in a statement.

On February 25, 2017, Ellison lost on the second round of voting to former U.S. Secretary of Labor Tom Perez. Following the election, Perez named Ellison as his deputy chairman.

2016

See also: Minnesota's 5th Congressional District election, 2016

Heading into the election, Ballotpedia rated this race as safely Democratic. Incumbent Keith Ellison (D) defeated Frank Nelson Drake (R) in the general election on November 8, 2016. Ellison defeated Lee Bauer and Gregg Iverson in the Democratic primary on August 9, 2016.

U.S. House, Minnesota District 5 General Election, 2016

Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Keith Ellison Incumbent	69.1%	249,964
	Republican	Frank Drake	22.3%	80,660
	Legal Marijuana Now	Dennis Schuller	8.5%	30,759
	N/A	Write-in	0.1%	499
Total Votes				361,882
Source: Minnesota Secretary of State

U.S. House, Minnesota District 5 Democratic Primary, 2016

Candidate	Vote %	Votes
Keith Ellison Incumbent	91.7%	40,380
Gregg Iverson	4.3%	1,887
Lee Bauer	4%	1,757
Total Votes		44,024
Source: Minnesota Secretary of State

2014

See also: Minnesota's 5th Congressional District elections, 2014

U.S. House, Minnesota District 5 General Election, 2014

Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Keith Ellison Incumbent	70.8%	167,079
	Republican	Doug Daggett	24%	56,577
	Independence	Lee Bauer	5.1%	12,001
	N/A	Write-in	0.1%	353
Total Votes				236,010
Source: Minnesota Secretary of State

2012

See also: Minnesota's 5th Congressional District elections, 2012

U.S. House, Minnesota District 5 General Election, 2012

Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Keith Ellison Incumbent	74.5%	262,102
	Republican	Chris Fields	25.2%	88,753
	NA	Write-in	0.3%	1,114
Total Votes				351,969
Source: Minnesota Secretary of State, "Official Election Results, 2012 General Election" (dead link)

U.S. House, Minnesota District 5 Democratic Primary, 2012

Candidate	Vote %	Votes
Keith Ellison Incumbent	89.6%	30,609
Gregg Iverson	6.3%	2,143
Gary Boisclair	4.1%	1,397
Total Votes		34,149

Full history

To view the full congressional electoral history for Keith Ellison, click [show] to expand the section.

2010 On November 2, 2010, Keith Ellison (D) won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Joel Demos (R), Lynne Torgerson (I), Tom Schrunk (I) and Michael James Cavlan (I) in the general election. U.S. House, Minnesota District 5 General Election, 2010 Party Candidate Vote % Votes      Democratic Keith Ellison incumbent 67.7% 154,833      Republican Joel Demos 24.1% 55,222      Independent Lynne Torgerson 3.7% 8,548      Independence Tom Schrunk 3.3% 7,446      Independent Progressive Michael James Cavlan 1.1% 2,468      N/A Write-in 0.1% 229 Total Votes 228,746 2008 On November 4, 2008, Keith Ellison (D) won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Barb Davis White (R) and Bill McGaughey (I) in the general election. U.S. House, Minnesota District 5 General Election, 2008 Party Candidate Vote % Votes      Democratic Keith Ellison incumbent 70.9% 228,776      Republican Barb Davis White 22% 71,020      Independence Bill McGaughey 6.9% 22,318      N/A Write-in 0.2% 633 Total Votes 322,747 2006 On November 7, 2006, Keith Ellison (D) won election to the United States House. He defeated Alan Fine (R), Tammy Lee (I) and Jay Pond (G) in the general election. U.S. House, Minnesota District 5 General Election, 2006 Party Candidate Vote % Votes      Democratic Keith Ellison 55.6% 136,060      Republican Alan Fine 21.3% 52,263      Independence Tammy Lee 21% 51,456      Green Jay Pond 2% 4,792      N/A Write-in 0.1% 334 Total Votes 244,905

Campaign themes

2022

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Keith Ellison did not complete Ballotpedia's 2022 Candidate Connection survey.

2018

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's candidate surveys

Keith Ellison participated in Ballotpedia's candidate survey on July 22, 2018. The survey questions appear in bold, and Keith Ellison's responses follow below.

What would be your top three priorities, if elected?

“

A Fair Economy. As Attorney General, I will hold large corporations and the powerful accountable to ensure a level playing field for working families throughout Minnesota. This means taking on wage theft, fighting for higher wages, going after student loan scammers, protecting seniors from fraud, and working to keep more money in families’ pockets. Defending Civil and Human Rights. As a former civil rights attorney for 16 years, I know how important it is to defend the rights of every person, regardless of gender, race, sexuality, or religion, and to protect people from discrimination and harm. With attacks coming down from the Trump Administration, I will be a strong defender of women’s rights, from equal pay to reproductive rights. Affordable and Accessible Health Care. Every Minnesotan should have access to affordable and accessible health care. As Attorney General, I will fight to hold drug corporations accountable for price gouging and to protect health care access under the Affordable Care Act. I will hold drug companies accountable for their role in fueling the opioid crisis which has flooded our communities with addictive narcotics.

”

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about? Why?

“

I am passionate about expanding opportunity and prosperity for working families. That includes expanding access to affordable and accessible health care; making sure our economy works for everyone, not just people at the top; fighting for equal pay and protecting women’s rights to make their own health care decisions; fighting for workers’ rights, and defending civil and human rights. As a dedicated public servant, I have always fought for working families to put the needs of the people ahead of the interests of those at top.

”

Ballotpedia also asked the candidate a series of optional questions. Keith Ellison answered the following:

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow and why?

“

One of the people I look up to most is former Vice President Walter Mondale, who I am honored to have the support of in my campaign. In addition to serving as Vice President, Mondale authored the Fair Housing Act as a United States Senator from Minnesota, and previously served as Minnesota Attorney General. He is a strong example of what principled, progressive leadership can look like in the Attorney General’s office, to defend the human and civil rights of all.

”

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else that best describes your political philosophy?

“

I would recommend everyone read The Conscience of a Liberal by former Senator Paul Wellstone. Wellstone, who tragically passed away while serving Minnesotans in the United States Senate, has been an inspiration to so many of us working towards One Minnesota that better serves the needs of all people in our state. His legacy is a powerful reminder of what we can accomplish when we work together to advocate for our values.

”

What qualities do you possess that would make you a successful officeholder?

“

I have 16 years of experience as a civil rights attorney, including 5 years leading a public defense law firm. I also have the unique experience of having served in both the state legislature and U.S. Congress, where I gained a firsthand knowledge of how the law comes together, and the importance of having a strong Attorney General to enforce it. I have the experience and background necessary to be an effective fighter on behalf of all Minnesotans.

”

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

“

An Attorney General should be the people’s lawyer. That means holding those in power accountable when they step on Minnesotans’ rights — whether that’s Monsanto telling a farmer how to raise their crops, Navient cheating student loan borrowers out of more money, or the federal government infringing upon health care, a woman’s right to choose, or the human and civil rights of all.

”

What legacy would you like to leave?

“

I want to leave a legacy of a Minnesota that is fairer for everyone, a state where the interests of the people are put ahead of massive corporations and well-funded special interests. I want to bring our state together around issues that affect all Minnesotans, from wage theft, to the opioid crisis and student loans, and a fair economy for small businesses and working families.

”

What qualities does this office possess that makes it a unique and important part of the state government and legal system?

“

The Attorney General’s office serves as the front line of defense for the people of Minnesota against bad actors; whether that’s polluters trying to dump waste in your community, special interests trying to limit your freedoms, or big pharmaceutical companies pushing opioids into our communities. When that happens, the Attorney General can stand up and fight back. The Attorney General also plays an important role working hand-in-hand with County Attorneys and law enforcement officers throughout our state, to help local communities tackle local problems.

”

Attorney's general can represent their states in legal conflicts with the federal government. Do you consider this an important part of an attorney general's responsibilities?

“

The Attorney General’s job is to defend the rights and freedoms of Minnesotans. In the past two years, we have seen the current administration in Washington D.C. rip apart families, restrict access to health care for millions of Americans, threaten our free and open internet, attack our unions, and allow corporate special interests to roll over hard-working Americans. These are issues that directly affect the people of Minnesota, and as Attorney General, I will defend the rights of all against any threat, from the federal government to corporate special interests.

”

Campaign website

Ellison's campaign website stated the following:

“	FAIRNESS FOR WORKERS I am a champion for labor and workers’ rights, carrying the bill for a $15 minimum wage and leading the charge against wage theft at the federal level. As Attorney General, I will always be a friend to working men and women and their families. Period. Wage Theft While most employers pay workers what they earn and deserve, some do not pay workers their full pay for their hard work, cheating them out of overtime pay or the minimum wage. I will partner with the MN Department of Labor and Industry to enforce wage theft laws and hold offenders accountable by forcing them to repay any stolen wages, plus interest. Last month, the Supreme Court voted to take away workers' rights to file a class-action lawsuit for employment law violations. This decision tilts the playing field in favor of large companies and their armies of lawyers. As the People's Lawyer, I will level the field by filing cases on behalf of all workers who get cheated out of their hard-earned pay. Health Care Every American should have access to guaranteed, quality, affordable health care. That’s why I led the Medicare for All bill in Congress. It’s why as Attorney General I will fight to hold drug corporations accountable for price gouging and other dirty tricks to raise prices or keep generic-brand drugs off the market. In the midst of our nation’s opioid crisis, Attorneys General should lead the fight in taking on drug companies who have flooded our communities with narcotics, and ensure this continues to be treated as a public health crisis. This includes working in collaboration with tribes, whose communities have been hit particularly hard by this crisis. I will stand up for women’s reproductive freedom and access to abortion and contraception. I will also join my fellow Attorneys General nationwide in their fight to protect the Affordable Care Act and Medicaid from on-going legal attacks. Workplace Safety Minnesotans shouldn't have to choose between their health and safety and their paychecks. But that is exactly what the Trump administration has made them do by rolling back and delaying the rules that keep workers safe on the job. I will put a stop to multi-billion dollar companies taking shortcuts on worker health and safety just to squeeze a few extra dollars of profits. This is especially important in Greater Minnesota, because agricultural work, logging, fishing, and iron and steel work are some of the top 10 most dangerous and fatal jobs in the United States. Union Rights and Employment Discrimination If you’re working hard on your job, no matter who you are or what your background is, you should have an equal shot of getting hired and promoted. Things like your age, race, religion, nationality, disability status, sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity should never be used against you. I will protect workers from employment discrimination. I will also protect workers who exercise their legal right to join together and fight for higher wages and better working conditions. With the Supreme Court poised to deliver a tough blow to state workers in the Janus v. AFSCME decision, state and local workers in Minnesota need an Attorney General with a long record of fighting for workers' collective bargaining rights. I have that record. FAIR ECONOMY Everyone wins—consumers, retirees, investors, workers and businesses—when we get rid of fraud and unfair competition. In Congress, I have passed laws to fight credit card abuse and to stand up for the rights of tenants and renters, and founded the Congressional Antitrust Caucus. As Attorney General, I stand up to companies that deceive Minnesotans and violate our antitrust laws. Fair Student Loans Americans who borrow money to get a better education deserve fair treatment when repaying those loans. A few big companies control this business and they are misleading consumers by steering them into programs that leave them on the hook for years of extra payments at a higher cost. For some former students, especially those who attended for-profit private trade schools, the loans were part of a fraud that left them owing money for a worthless degree. U. S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos is siding with the fraudulent schools and the big lending companies. As Attorney General, I would side with consumers with student loans and fight for fairness and debt relief. Fair Competition Consumers and workers need a robust economy with businesses competing on a fair and level playing field, not an economy where more power is concentrated in the hands of fewer and fewer companies. Corporate concentration is killing small businesses. As Attorney General, I will work to crack down on the unfair competitive practices that stifle our economy by cheating workers and consumers. I will advocate for farmers throughout the state to stop supply and intermediary companies from violating antitrust laws that raise their costs and lower the prices they are paid. I will also fight employers who keep down wages by monopoly power even as profits improve, or who use anticompetitive practices like non-compete agreements to keep workers’ wages low. Stop Predatory Lending and Financial Scams No one should be subject to a loan with hidden and abusive terms when they need to fix their house or buy a car. All Minnesotans can agree it is wrong to use an internet solicitation to try circumventing our state protections and charge 500% interest on a payday loan. I have spent my career fighting against predatory lending and as Attorney General I will continue this work to stop predatory lenders who violate our consumer protection laws. As our state population ages, seniors are increasingly being targeted by scammers and crooks. As Attorney General, I will put a stop to the abhorrent exploitation of seniors. This type of behavior has no place in Minnesota. Affordable and Fair Housing When Minnesotans save their hard-earned money to buy a mobile home or a traditional home, the last thing they should be worried about is predatory and fraudulent mortgages. I’ll put a stop to mortgage fraud and abuse and fight back against lenders who trap senior citizens in reverse mortgages that erode their hard-earned home equity. I will also work to level the playing field between landlords and tenants and combat the eviction crisis that is putting too many Minnesota families out on the street. It’s been 50 years since Congress passed the Fair Housing Act under the co-authorship of Walter Mondale to eliminate discrimination in lending. But redlining is still alive and well and black and brown homeowners and renters are consistently charged more than whites. As Attorney General, I will sue lenders and landlords who violate fair housing laws. CIVIL RIGHTS AND JUSTICE As a former civil rights attorney for 16 years, I know the value of a good lawyer to protect the rights of all to be free from discrimination and harm. Immigration justice Minnesota has a proud immigrant tradition, from those seeking economic opportunity to those fleeing warfare. As Attorney General, I will fight efforts by the Trump Administration to remove protections from Dreamers - remarkable young people who through their educational and work opportunities are contributing to our economy and society. I will ensure that our immigration detention system is humane, and free from mistreatment. I will also stand up to the un-American, discriminatory Muslim Travel Ban. Our country is at its best when we welcome those fleeing horrendous conditions, not when we fan the flames of bigotry and division. Criminal Justice and Gun Violence Partnering with our Counties County attorneys often look to the Attorney General for resources and assistance when prosecuting complex and high profile cases. As Attorney General, I will ensure that every county attorney has the support and expertise necessary to fairly enforce our criminal laws. This will include particular attention to combating the sex trafficking that is all too prevalent in Minnesota. Collateral consequences Minnesota’s comparatively low prison population is growing and we have one of the highest rates of people on probation and parole in the county. Minnesotans on probation and parole face barriers to education, employment, housing, and political participation that make it harder to complete their sentence and become a productive member of their community. And Minnesotans with a criminal conviction continue to face barriers to finding a job, stable housing, and being able to support their families long after they have served their time. As Attorney General, I will work with county attorneys and the state legislature to reduce our incarceration, probation and parole rates and enhance public safety by helping people get back on their feet and successfully reintegrate into their communities. Gun Violence Prevention Gun violence has disrupted the lives of Minnesotans of all ages and all walks of life across the state. I saw firsthand Washington’s failure to act on public demands to enact common sense gun safety solutions. As Attorney General, I will ensure that Minnesota is a leader in preventing gun violence by fighting for laws that require universal background checks for gun sales, a ban of the sale of assault weapons and large capacity magazines, and by keeping guns out of the hands of people who pose a risk to themselves or to others, including domestic violence offenders. I will also defend Minnesota’s laws by standing with the Attorneys General of 17 other states to fight bad federal legislation that will undermine our ability to establish and enforce our state gun safety measures. Equal Access to Justice We must ensure that every Minnesotan has equal access to justice. That starts by increasing support for our public defenders, a right secured in Gideon v. Wainwright by the advocacy of our own Walter Mondale when he was Minnesota’s Attorney General. As Attorney General, I will work with the Board of Public Defense and the legislature to ensure that every low-income Minnesotan accused of a crime has efficient and thorough legal counsel. I will also work to eliminate cash bail laws that prey on the poor and powerless in our system. Climate Justice Minnesota has been hit hard with increasingly frequent major floods from Duluth to Waseca. Climate change impacts the vulnerable the most - working people, people of color, and seniors. Yet the Trump Administration actively denies and suppresses climate change science and is reversing the progress made under President Obama to hold fossil fuel corporations accountable. As Attorney General, I will stand up to efforts to undermine the Clean Power Plan, which would improve Minnesotans’ health and our environment by transitioning to clean energy. We don’t have to choose between a robust economy and a clean environment; we can and must have both. Minnesotans need the Office of the Attorney General to fight for them every day.	”
—Keith Ellison for attorney general

2016

The following issues were listed on Ellison's campaign website. For a full list of campaign themes, click here.

“	Economy: Keith is dedicated to creating more good jobs in America, expanding opportunity, and reducing income inequality. With millions unemployed and millions more under-employed, we must get America back to work. As Co-Chair of the Progressive Caucus, Keith helped spearhead the Better Off Budget, which turns back the Republican austerity plan and creates 8.8 million jobs by 2017. Energy and the Environment: Keith’s top environmental priority is to address the very serious challenge of climate change. He supports the EPA’s historic steps to limit carbon pollution from power plants, which produce 40% of U.S. carbon emissions. He also believes we must make strategic investments in renewable energy and energy efficiency. Education: Keith is deeply concerned about the skyrocketing cost of higher education, which is a proven pathway to grow the middle class. He believes the Federal Government must do more to make higher education affordable by expanding Pell grants and keeping the interest rates on student loans low. He also believes that we urgently need to close the achievement gap between white students and students of color by investing in our schools and teachers, supporting robust and universal early education, and promoting high expectations for academic success Immigration: Keith supports comprehensive immigration reform that includes: a clear path to citizenship to those who are already in the U.S. working and paying taxes; expedited process for family reunification; and workable employment verification system with strict penalties for employers who knowingly hire undocumented immigrants. Voting Rights: Keith supports the rights of all individuals to vote, free of undue burden or harassment. Minnesota has consistently led the nation in voter turnout, without evidence of fraud. This is made possible because of Minnesota’s election laws, which Keith believes should serve as a model for the rest of the country.	”
—Keith Ellison's campaign website, http://www.keithellison.org/issues

2012

The policy positions below were highlighted on Ellison's campaign website.

• Civil and Human Rights

Excerpt: "Keith supports the rights of all individuals to vote free of undue burden or harassment. Furthermore, he is also a tireless advocate for LGBT equality and the rights of workers to collectively bargain."

• Economy

Excerpt: "He believes that we need a tax system where the rich pay their share. As a member of the House Financial Service Committee, Keith authored legislation to protect borrowers from being penalized by lenders for defaulting or missing payments on other loans—an unfair practice known as Universal Default."

• Education, Housing, and Healthcare

Excerpt: "Keith believes that we must support children, families, teachers, and communities in the development of high quality educational opportunities. Keith has been a leading voice for safe and affordable housing for low-income Americans and seeks to ensure that our most vulnerable citizens can keep a roof over their heads."

• Energy and Environment

Excerpt: "Everyone has the right to drink clean water, breathe clean air, and eat food free of harmful toxins. For years, Keith has been actively involved in the environmental justice movement, which brings communities of color and low-income communities into the larger efforts of creating a cleaner world for our children and future generations."

• Immigration

Excerpt: "Keith supports comprehensive immigration reform such as the STRIVE Act that includes four components: a clear path to citizenship to those who are already in the U.S. working and paying taxes; expedited process for family reunification; workable employment verification system with strict penalties for employers who knowingly hire undocumented immigrants."

• Peace and Foreign Relations

Excerpt: "Keith firmly believes that peace should be a guiding principle in U.S. policy, both foreign and domestic. He is committed to fostering dialogue, engagement, and non-violent conflict resolution so we leave a safer world for our children and future generations."

• Veterans

Excerpt: "Every day, America’s men and women in uniform put their lives on the line to defend our freedoms. During his time in Congress, Keith has supported policies that ensure we provide our troops with the support they deserve after returning from duty."

Notable endorsements

See also: Ballotpedia: Our approach to covering endorsements

This section displays endorsements this individual made in elections within Ballotpedia's coverage and endorsements scopes.

Notable candidate endorsements by Keith Ellison

Endorsee	Election	Stage	Outcome
Barbara Lee  source  (D)	U.S. Senate California (2024)	Primary	Lost Primary
Nina Turner  source  (D)	U.S. House Ohio District 11 (2022)	Primary	Lost Primary
Tom Perez  source  (D)	Governor of Maryland (2022)	Primary	Lost Primary
Bernie Sanders  source  (D)	President of the United States (2020)		Withdrew in Convention
Bernie Sanders  source  (D)	President of the United States (2016)	Primary	Lost Convention

Notable ballot measure endorsements by Keith Ellison

Measure	Position	Outcome
Minneapolis, Minnesota, Question 2, Replace Police Department with Department of Public Safety Initiative (November 2021)  source	Support	Defeated

Issues

American response in Syria

See also: United States involvement in Syria

On August 29, 2013, 53 House Democrats signed a letter written by California Rep. Barbara Lee that called for a congressional resolution on strikes and cautioned that the situation in Syria "should not draw us into an unwise war—especially without adhering to our constitutional requirements." The letter also called on the Obama administration to work with the U.N. Security Council “to build international consensus” condemning the alleged use of chemical weapons. Ellison was one of the 53 Democrats in the House to sign the letter.

Arrest during immigration protest

See also: Gang of Eight

On October 8, 2013, eight Democratic members of Congress were arrested while attending a protest calling for comprehensive immigration reform in front of the U.S. Capitol.

The eight included Ellison, John Lewis (D-Ga.), Luis Gutierrez (D-Ill.), Charlie Rangel (D-N.Y.), Raul Grijalva (D-Ari.), Joe Crowley (D-N.Y.), Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.) and Al Green (D-Texas). The politicians, along with activists who attended an immigration rally on the National Mall, staged a sit-in near the west side of the Capitol. Authorities arrested the lawmakers for crowding and disrupting the streets around the Capitol. Almost 200 people were arrested by police during the protest.

King Amendment

Ellison signed a letter sent to Collin Peterson in August 2013, asking him to keep Steve King's amendment out of the final Farm Bill. The "Protect Interstate Commerce Act" amendment prevents states from applying their own laws on agricultural products to agricultural products from another state. King introduced the amendment in response to a law in California, requiring a larger size cage for egg-producing chickens. King represents Iowa, which is a large egg producer.

SNAP challenge

See also: United States Farm Bill 2013

In June 2013, more than two dozen House Democrats, including Ellison, took part in a SNAP challenge, feeding themselves for a week on the average benefit level of a SNAP recipient. Participants agreed to eat all meals from a limited food budget comparable to that of a SNAP participant, approximately $1.50 per meal, or $4.50 a day.

Political positions

Fast food strikes

In December 2013, Ellison stated his support for fast food workers strikes across America. He said, "I worked at McDonald's. I cooked. It was one of the toughest jobs I've ever had. These people earn every single penny they get. In fact, they earn way more than they get."

Campaign finance summary

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Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.

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Keith Ellison campaign contribution history

Year	Office	Status	Contributions	Expenditures
2022	Attorney General of Minnesota	Won general	$2,580,154	$2,565,513
2016	U.S. House, Minnesota District 5	Won	$2,596,598	N/A**
2014	U.S. House (Minnesota, District 5)	Won	$2,090,932	N/A**
2012	U.S. House Minnesota District 5	Won	$2,053,544	N/A**
2010	U.S. House Minnesota District 5	Won	$1,397,497	N/A**
2008	U.S. House Minnesota District 5	Won	$1,530,396	N/A**
2006	U.S. House Minnesota District 5	Won	$795,047	N/A**
** Data on expenditures is not available for this election cycle
Note: Totals above reflect only availabale data.

Personal Gain Index

See also: Personal Gain Index (U.S. Congress)

The Personal Gain Index (U.S. Congress) is a two-part measurement that illustrates the extent to which members of the U.S. Congress have prospered during their tenure as public servants.
It consists of two different metrics:

• Changes in Net Worth
• The Donation Concentration Metric

PGI: Change in net worth

See also: Changes in Net Worth of U.S. Senators and Representatives (Personal Gain Index) and Net worth of United States Senators and Representatives

Based on congressional financial disclosure forms and calculations made available by OpenSecrets.org, Ellison's net worth as of 2012 was estimated between $-12,993 and $25,000. That averages to $6,003.50, which is lower than the average net worth of Democratic representatives in 2012 of $5,700,168.36. Ellison ranked as the 408th most wealthy representative in 2012. Between 2006 and 2012, Ellison's calculated net worth decreased by an average of 12 percent per year. Between 2004 and 2012, the average annual percentage increase for a member of Congress was 15.4 percent.

Keith Ellison Yearly Net Worth
Year	Average Net Worth
2006	$21,072
2012	$6,003.50
Growth from 2006 to 2012:	−72%
Average annual growth:	−12%
Comparatively, the American citizen experienced a median yearly decline in net worth of -0.94%.

The data used to calculate changes in net worth may include changes resulting from assets gained through marriage, inheritance, changes in family estates and/or trusts, changes in family business ownership, and many other variables unrelated to a member's behavior in Congress.

PGI: Donation Concentration Metric

See also: The Donation Concentration Metric (U.S. Congress Personal Gain Index)

Filings required by the Federal Election Commission report on the industries that give to each candidate. Using campaign filings and information calculated by OpenSecrets.org, Ballotpedia calculated the percentage of donations by industry received by each incumbent over the course of his or her career (or 1989 and later, if elected prior to 1988). Ellison received the most donations from individuals and PACs employed by the Health Professionals industry.

From 2005-2014, 21.66 percent of Ellison's career contributions came from the top five industries as listed below.

Keith Ellison (Minnesota) Campaign Contributions
Total Raised	$7,361,488
Total Spent	$7,143,603
Top five industries that contributed to campaign committee
Health Professionals	$648,540
Lawyers/Law Firms	$340,374
Retired	$225,109
Public Sector Unions	$203,750
Industrial Unions	$176,500
% total in top industry	8.81%
% total in top two industries	13.43%
% total in top five industries	21.66%

Analysis

Ideology and leadership

See also: GovTrack's Political Spectrum & Legislative Leadership ranking

Based on an analysis of bill sponsorship by GovTrack, Ellison was a far-left Democrat as of July 2014. This was the same rating Ellison received in June 2013.

Like-minded colleagues

The website OpenCongress tracks the voting records of each member to determine with whom he or she votes most and least often. The results include a member from each party.

Ellison most often votes with:

• Mark Pocan
• Chris Gibson

Ellison least often votes with:

• Jim Matheson
• Randy Weber

Lifetime voting record

See also: Lifetime voting records of United States Senators and Representatives

According to the website GovTrack, Ellison missed 408 of 6,889 roll call votes from January 2007 to September 2015. This amounted to 5.9 percent, which was higher than the median of 2.2 percent among representatives as of September 2015.

Congressional Staff Salaries

See also: Staff salaries of United States Senators and Representatives

The website Legistorm compiles staff salary information for members of Congress. Ellison paid his congressional staff a total of $1,022,608 in 2011. Overall, Minnesota ranked 26th in average salary for representative staff. The average U.S. House of Representatives congressional staff was paid $954,912.20 in fiscal year 2011.

National Journal vote ratings

See also: National Journal vote ratings

Each year National Journal publishes an analysis of how liberally or conservatively each member of Congress voted in the previous year. Click the link above for the full ratings of all members of Congress.

2013

Ellison ranked 1st in the liberal rankings in 2013.

2012

Ellison ranked 47th in the liberal rankings in 2012.

2011

Ellison ranked 1st in the liberal rankings in 2011. This ranking was shared with 18 other representatives.

Voting with party

The website OpenCongress tracks how often members of Congress vote with the majority of the chamber caucus.

2014

Keith Ellison voted with the Democratic Party 93.7 percent of the time, which ranked 82nd among the 204 House Democratic members as of July 2014.

2013

Keith Ellison voted with the Democratic Party 94 percent of the time, which ranked 129th among the 201 House Democratic members as of June 2013.

Personal

Note: Please contact us if the personal information below requires an update.
Ellison was the first Muslim to be elected to the United States Congress. He has four children.

Noteworthy events

Prosecution of former officers charged in the death of George Floyd (2020)

On May 26, 2020, the Minneapolis Police Department terminated the employment of four law enforcement officers after an incident during the detainment of Minneapolis resident George Floyd. A police statement indicated that Floyd died at the hospital shortly after the incident. Video of the arrest, which occurred on May 25, showed Floyd on the ground with one of the officers, Derek Chauvin, kneeling on Floyd's neck.

On May 29, 2020, Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman announced the arrest of former officer Chauvin, who was initially charged with third-degree murder and manslaughter. Two days later, on May 31, Governor Tim Walz announced that Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison would step in to lead the case.

Ellison and Freeman charged the other former officers—Thomas Lane, J. Alexander Kueng, and Tou Thao—with aiding and abetting second-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter on June 3, 2020. The state trial for the three former officers began in 2022.

On February 24, 2022, Thao, Keung, and Lane were convicted in federal court for depriving Floyd of his constitutional rights. Thao received a sentence of 42 months in federal prison, Keung received a sentence of 36 months in federal prison, and Lane received a sentence of 30 months in federal prison.

Lane and Keung also pleaded guilty to state charges of aiding and abetting manslaughter. Lane and Kueng received state sentences of 3 and 3 1/2 years, respectively, which run concurrent to the federal sentence.

Thao was convicted in state court in 2023 for his role in Floyd's death. On August 7, 2023, he was sentenced to 57 months, of which 3 1/2 years run concurrent to his federal prison sentence.

Sexual misconduct allegations

See also: Sexual assault and harassment in American politics (2017-2018)

Keith Ellison was mentioned during a wave of sexual assault and misconduct allegations in 2017 and 2018. On August 12, 2018, Ellison publicly denied accusations levied against him by the son of his ex-girlfriend that he had emotionally and physically abused her. The son claimed to have a two-minute video depicting the alleged abuse. Ellison denied the video's existence, saying, "This video does not exist because I never behaved in this way, and any characterization otherwise is false." Karen Monahan, Ellison's ex-girlfriend, said after Ellison's denial that she was the victim of what she called "narcissist abuse," and shared a photo of a medical document that she said was evidence of her describing the abuse to her doctor in 2017. At a debate on September 21, 2018, Ellison said, "We were in a long-term relationship, it ended two years ago. Two days before the primary, she made these allegations. They're not true, I've said that they're not true, I've answered questions... to make these points clear."

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Footnotes

Political offices
Preceded by -	Attorney General of Minnesota 2019-Present	Succeeded by -
Preceded by -	U.S. House Minnesota District 5 2007-2019	Succeeded by Ilhan Omar (D)
Preceded by -	Minnesota House of Representatives 2003-2006	Succeeded by -