Keith Ellison for Congress » News

New Political Boundaries Drawn For Minnesota

Matt Roznowski — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 19:02:18 +0000

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

The 5th District, represented by DFL Rep. Keith Ellison, will be dominated even more by Democrats. Ellison believes he will need to turn out his Minneapolis-based constituents to help other Democrats, like President Barack Obama and Sen. Amy Klobuchar, win.

“I see us as having the heavy oar to pull when it comes to helping statewide candidates. We take that on real seriously,” Ellison said.

Click here to see if you’re now a resident of Minnesota’s Fifth Congressional District.

Minnesotans Speak Out Against Photo ID Proponents’ Divisive Tactics

Matt Roznowski — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 17:12:11 +0000

Monday, February 20, 2012

Via The Uptake:

Take Action MInnesota’s Dan McGrath called upon Minnesota Majority to take down what he called “racist” images on their website promoting voter photo ID. The website shows an black man in prison stripes standing in line to vote. McGrath also said Minnesota Majority should stop pushing for the amendment and apologize for using the images.

Congressman Keith Ellison also outraged over “offensive images.”

Rep. Keith Ellison (MN-05) released the following statement in response to photo ID proponents’ recent attempt to whip up fear and divide Minnesotans along racial lines:

“I stand with the elected officials and organizations that spoke out against photo ID proponents’ use of offensive imagery earlier today.

Unlike photo ID proponents who want to shut people out, my campaign plans on turning out thousands of new voters–because our democracy thrives when more people get involved in the political process. Our campaign is organizing voters around Minnesota values, like inclusion and fairness. Photo ID proponents’ offensive tactics do not square with those values, and I think that’s a contrast voters will understand.

State legislators should focus on bread and butter issues like creating jobs and investing in our children’s future, not divisive amendments that distract the public’s attention from the issues that matter most.

The more Minnesotans learn about photo ID, the more they think it’s a bad idea. Photo ID does nothing but turn our constitutional right to vote into a privilege. I urge our state legislature to reject this amendment and focus on working with Governor Dayton on more important issues like creating jobs.”

Click here to join the fight to stop photo ID.

Help Defeat the Anti-Family Amendment

Matt Roznowski — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 16:47:27 +0000

Friday, February 17, 2012

This week, Washington became the seventh state to provide marriage for same-sex couples.

Across the country, folks are organizing to make sure that everybody counts and everybody matters. We need you to be a part of it.

Just last week, California’s Prop 8 was ruled unconstitutional. We’re also seeing marriage bills advancing in New Jersey and Maryland to honor the love and commitment of same-sex couples. It’s clear that momentum is on our side.

Here in Minnesota, we have an opportunity to be the first state ever to defeat an anti-family amendment that will appear on the ballot.

Help our state make history. Click here to stand with thousands of other Minnesotans to oppose the anti-family constitutional amendment.

In Minnesota, we know that the definition of marriage is love and commitment. We need people of all colors, faiths, and backgrounds to get involved. Most importantly, we need you.

Please join us today and make sure Minnesota supports liberty and justice for all people.

Keith Ellison on Voter ID Approval: “Today is a sad day for democracy”

Matt Roznowski — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 16:36:02 +0000

Thursday, February 16, 2012

Via City Pages:

Yesterday, the state Senate Local Government and Elections Committee approved a proposed voter ID constitutional amendment in a party-line 8-6 vote.

The amendment now goes before another committee before coming before the whole Senate. A companion bill in the House has not yet been scheduled for committee hearing…

…U.S. Rep. Keith Ellison was so outraged to see the amendment win its first legislative victory that he issued a harshly worded statement following yesterday’s committee vote. Here’s what he said, in part:

Today is a sad day for democracy. Earlier this afternoon, Republicans voted to turn our constitutional right to vote into a privilege. Minnesotans should be outraged…

… When it comes to civic participation, our nation has always moved in the direction of greater inclusion. We need to keep that tradition going, and a photo ID amendment would do nothing but restrict Minnesotans’ constitutional right to vote.

Voter ID legislation won approval in both the House and Senate last year, but the bill was ultimately vetoed by Gov. Mark Dayton. With a constitutional amendment, supporters of the bill — mainly Republicans — can bypass the governor…

…The Minnesota Secretary of State’s Office estimates the proposal would be a problem for about 215,000 current voters, primarily the elderly, disabled, students, and military personal — all groups less likely to have a valid form of photo ID than a typical citizen.

John Harrington, D-St. Paul, characterized Republicans’ voter ID drive as a solution in search of a problem.

“We’re talking a microscopic number that could be charged, and I really urge you to seriously think about this,” he said. “Why are we doing this? What is the need? What is the problem we’re trying to solve?”

-Take action and click here to protect our vote

Ellison Helps Launch Democratic Campaign Finance Push

Matt Roznowski — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 16:53:33 +0000

Friday, February 10, 2012

Via Minnesota Public Radio:

House Democrats, including DFL Rep. Keith Ellison, are renewing their initiative to force new, largely unregulated political action committees to disclose their donors.

At a Capitol press conference Thursday, Ellison joined Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi and other Democrats to tout a newly reintroduced bill, the DISCLOSE Act, that would ban so-called super PACs from accepting secret donations.

“Secret money manipulating outcomes for special interests is repulsive to Americans,” said Ellison. “And it doesn’t matter what part of the political spectrum they come from, they’re upset about it.”

A previous version of the DISCLOSE Act passed the House in 2010 when it was controlled by Democrats, but the measure failed in the Senate after Republicans filibustered the bill.

The move comes the same week President Barack Obama’s re-election campaign announced that it reversed its previous policy and would accept the support of super PACs. While super PACs are allowed to raise and spend unlimited sums, technically they’re not allowed to coordinate with campaigns.

Like Keith on Facebook

Follow Keith on Twitter

Sign up for Keith’s email updates

VIDEO: Keith’s Interview With Ed Schultz Live From Precinct Caucuses

Matt Roznowski — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 20:32:44 +0000

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Video:

VIDEO: Minnesotans Speak Out Against Photo ID Amendment

Matt Roznowski — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 23:49:56 +0000

Monday, February 6, 2012

At a press conference at the state capitol, Rep. Ellison stood alongside Minnesotans representing students, seniors, people with disabilities, New Americans, and people of color speaking out against a photo ID amendment and how it would turn Minnesotans’ constitutional right to vote into a privilege.

Video via The Uptake:

Attend Your Precinct Caucus on Tuesday, Feb 7

Matt Roznowski — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 22:16:55 +0000

Saturday, February 4, 2012

Precinct caucuses are a few short days away, and we want you to participate! Caucuses are a great opportunity to talk to your neighbors about what issues and candidates you support this election cycle.

Not sure where your neighbors are gathering on caucus night? Click here to find your precinct caucus location.

Check out these videos from Keith and fellow Minnesotans about how caucuses work and why you should attend:

Click here to view the embedded video.

Got questions? Contact the Ellison for Congress Organizing Director, David Leonard, by emailing DL@keithellison.org or by calling our office at (612) 522-4416. See you at the caucuses!

Rep. Ellison: Oppose Photo ID At Your Precinct Caucus

Matt Roznowski — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 00:26:16 +0000

Thursday, February 2, 2012

Via Minnesota Progressive Project:

Yesterday, GOP Senators held their first hearing aimed at stripping away Minnesotans’ constitutional right to vote. Opponents came out in force to speak against the photo ID amendment bill. Seniors, students, veterans, and more who opposed the amendment overwhelmingly outnumbered the amendment’s supporters.

“Yesterday’s hearing at the legislature was a clear indication that Minnesotans understand how this amendment would turn their constitutional right into a privilege,” said Rep. Ellison. “They believe our Constitution should protect people’s rights, not strip them away. I’m proud to stand with my fellow Minnesotans to protect our vote.”

Across the state next week, Minnesotans will introduce resolutions at their precinct caucuses to oppose the photo ID amendment. Rep. Ellison’s re-election campaign has been organizing voters in the Fifth District and around the state to attend their caucus, introduce the resolution, and talk to their neighbors about the amendment’s dangerous consequences.

“We will fight this amendment every step of the way. Turning Minnesotans’ constitutional right to vote into a privilege is wrong, and we’re not going to let it happen.”

Click here to download a copy of a resolution opposing photo ID that you can introduce at your precinct caucus on February 7.

Not sure where to caucus? Click here to find your location.

MN Daily Editorial: 5th District Is In Good Hands

Matt Roznowski — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 21:15:09 +0000

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Via Minnesota Daily:

Congressman Keith Ellison works with honesty and courage.

Minnesota’s 5th District has been represented exceptionally well lately. Congressman Keith Ellison recently decided to co-sponsor a bill that would hold interest rates on some student loans at 3.4 percent. Without the bill, they would double to 6.8 percent. Student debt is at record levels and student loans are almost impossible to discharge through bankruptcy; students need any help they can get.

As co-chairman of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, Ellison also supports the Restore the American Dream for the 99 Percent Act. This bill would create jobs by hiring teachers, firefighters and construction workers directly. It would invest in badly needed infrastructure, cut defense spending and tax Wall Street and oil companies. It is encouraging to see our Congressman taking on special interests and doing the business of the people. Too often, politicians defend big donors and industries or their political allies while throwing their constituents under the bus. For example, Sens. Al Franken and Amy Klobuchar supported the PROTECT IP Act, which would benefit Hollywood and the recording industry at the expense of the public. We see it in efforts by our state’s Republicans to put civil rights to a popular vote by putting measures to ban gay marriage and make voting more difficult on the 2012 ballot.

Our state’s politicians could learn something from how Ellison does his job. He works honestly, courageously and in the interest of the people — keeping down student loan interest rates is just the latest example. Other politicians, Republicans and Democrats, seem to have abandoned political courage and honesty as a relic of a bygone era. For politicians looking for a courageous and honest public servant to model themselves after, they need look no further than Ellison.