Keith Ellison is an American politician and lawyer, currently serving as the 30th attorney general of Minnesota since 2019. Prior to this role, he was the U.S. representative for Minnesota's 5th congressional district from 2007 to 2019. He also served as Deputy Chair of the Democratic National Committee (2017-2018) and as a member of the Minnesota House of Representatives (2003-2007). He is a member of the Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party (DFL).
On August 4, 1963, Keith Maurice Ellison was born. He is an American politician and lawyer who has served as the 30th attorney general of Minnesota since 2019.
In 1981, Keith Ellison graduated from the University of Detroit Jesuit High School and Academy, where he was active in sports and student government.
In 1986, Keith Ellison graduated from Wayne State University with a Bachelor of Arts in economics.
Keith Ellison's lawsuit, filed in December 2024, alleges that Glock has been aware since 1988 that its guns can easily be modified into fully automatic weapons but has refused to change the design.
In 1989, Keith Ellison and his former wife, Kim, had their first child.
In 1989, as a law student, Keith Ellison wrote several columns under the name "Keith E. Hakim" in the student newspaper, the Minnesota Daily.
In 1990, Keith Ellison graduated from the University of Minnesota Law School with a Juris Doctor degree.
In 1990, as a law student, Keith Ellison wrote several columns under the name "Keith E. Hakim" in the student newspaper, the Minnesota Daily, defending Louis Farrakhan and calling affirmative action a "sneaky" form of compensation for slavery.
Between 1992 and 2000, Keith Ellison failed to pay all or part of his income taxes in five separate years, which led to the state and Internal Revenue Service to put liens on his home. He later paid over $18,000.
In 1995, Keith Ellison helped organize the Minnesota contingent at the Million Man March.
In 1995, Keith Ellison, under the name "Keith X Ellison," wrote defenses of Louis Farrakhan against accusations of antisemitism after the Million Man March.
In 1997, Keith Ellison and his former wife, Kim, had their last child.
In 1997, Keith Ellison, under the name "Keith X Ellison," wrote defenses of Louis Farrakhan against accusations of antisemitism.
Between 1992 and 2000, Keith Ellison failed to pay all or part of his income taxes in five separate years, which led to the state and Internal Revenue Service to put liens on his home. He later paid over $18,000.
In November 2002, Keith Ellison was elected to his first public office as a member of the Minnesota House of Representatives, serving House district 58B.
In April 2007, during a visit to the Middle East as part of a congressional delegation, Ellison and other representatives met with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and discussed the peace plan devised by the Saudis in 2002.
In early 2006, Keith Ellison was reprimanded by the Minnesota State Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board for events alleged in 2002-04.
In 2003, Keith Ellison became a member of the Minnesota House of Representatives, serving until 2007.
In 2004, Keith Ellison was re-elected to his seat in the Minnesota House of Representatives with 84% of the vote.
In 2005, the Minnesota Campaign Finance Board opened an investigation into Keith Ellison, resulting in him being subpoenaed and fined repeatedly for late filings. He was also sued twice by the Attorney General of Minnesota and warned about absent or incomplete disclosures.
On May 6, 2006, Keith Ellison won the Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party (DFL) endorsement at the party convention over nine other candidates, leading 2-to-1 on the first ballot, and winning endorsement on the fourth ballot.
On September 12, 2006, Keith Ellison won the primary election with 41% of the vote, facing former state senator Ember Reichgott Junge, Minneapolis city council member Paul Ostrow, and Sabo's chief of staff Mike Erlandson.
On November 7, 2006, Keith Ellison was elected to the House of Representatives.
In November 2006, Keith Ellison won the election for the U.S. House of Representatives, facing Republican Alan Fine, the Green Party's Jay Pond, and Tammy Lee of the Independence Party, securing the seat with 56% of the vote.
On November 18, 2006, Keith Ellison gave a speech titled "Imams and Politics" to the North American Imams Federation, addressing the role of Imams in guiding Muslims involved in political activities and the extent of involvement of Islamic centers in politics. He also participated in "Community Night" with other Imams, which later involved participants in the Flying Imams controversy.
On December 27, 2006, Keith Ellison spoke at a meeting in Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Detroit for Metropolitan Organizing Strategy Enabling Strength (MOSES), emphasizing that his faith guides his life but he does not intend to impose it on others. He also addressed the Qur'an Oath controversy, expressing his hope that religion could unite rather than divide.
During Keith Ellison's 2006 campaign, Kim Ellison revealed that she had been living with moderate multiple sclerosis for several years.
During Keith Ellison's 2006 campaign, Republican blogger Michael Brodkorb revealed posts about Ellison's Minnesota Daily articles and his involvement with the Nation of Islam, leading Ellison to denounce the Nation of Islam and Farrakhan in a letter to the Jewish Community Relations Council of Minnesota & the Dakotas.
During the 2006 election, Nihad Awad and James Yee spoke at an August 25 fundraiser for Keith Ellison. Ellison faced criticism for accepting contributions from CAIR leaders, with his Republican opponent Alan Fine alleging CAIR's ties to terrorism. Ellison defended his actions by stating he disclosed all contributions and was supported by individuals, not the organization itself.
In 2006, environmental activist Amy Alexander alleged that she had been in a romantic relationship with Keith Ellison while he was married and that he had pushed, shoved, and verbally abused her. Ellison denied the accusations.
In early 2006, Keith Ellison was reprimanded by the Minnesota State Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board for events alleged in 2002-04.
On January 2, 2007, Glenn Beck mentioned on his radio program that Keith Ellison did not take offense at his previous comments and that they had a friendly conversation off-air.
On January 4, 2007, Keith Ellison was sworn into the House of Representatives. He received national attention for using an English translation of the Qur'an that once belonged to President Thomas Jefferson for his reenacted swearing-in ceremony.
On January 8, 2007, when asked by the Associated Press for his reaction to Bush's proposal for an Iraq War troop surge, Ellison stated that it was "way too late, way too little" and advocated for beginning to end the occupation, favoring political, economic, and diplomatic engagement over military solutions.
On January 9, 2007, at the Television Critics Association's semiannual press tour, Glenn Beck clarified his question to Keith Ellison, stating it was poorly worded and emphasized the importance of people of all faiths standing up against the hijacking of their religion.
On January 10, 2007, President Bush announced his plans for the Iraq War troop surge of 2007. This announcement followed comments from Ellison on January 8, expressing that the surge was "way too late, way too little" and calling for an immediate withdrawal from Iraq.
In April 2007, Ellison was part of a congressional delegation that traveled to the Middle East, visiting sites such as the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the Western Wall, and the Al-Aqsa Mosque. Ellison described his visit to the Al-Aqsa Mosque as "personally moving". The delegation met with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas.
On May 3, 2007, Keith Ellison introduced a bill to outlaw universal default, the practice whereby credit card companies raise interest rates on customers who are behind on payments to other creditors. The provision ultimately became law in 2009 as part of the "Credit Cardholders' Bill of Rights" portion of the Credit CARD Act of 2009.
On June 28, 2007, Ellison cosponsored Representative Dennis Kucinich's bill to impeach Vice President Dick Cheney for "high crimes and misdemeanors". Ellison's spokesperson clarified that the effort primarily aimed to send a message about the importance of the rule of law.
On July 8, 2007, Ellison delivered a speech in Edina, Minnesota, criticizing President Bush's commutation of Lewis Libby's sentence. He suggested that if Libby were pardoned, he should be compelled to testify truthfully. Ellison also criticized the White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives, calling it a public relations arm for the Bush administration's outreach to the far-right evangelical Christian movement.
On July 25, 2007, Ellison, as a member of the House Judiciary Committee, voted to issue citations of contempt of Congress to White House Chief of Staff Joshua Bolten and former White House Counsel Harriet Miers for failing to comply with subpoenas related to the firings of several federal prosecutors.
On August 8, 2007, Representative Bill Sali drew criticism for comments made about a Hindu leading the opening prayer in the Senate, claiming it endangered America. Sali sent Keith Ellison an email saying he "meant no offense".
In 2007, Keith Ellison became the U.S. representative for Minnesota's 5th congressional district, representing the Minneapolis region until 2019.
In January 2008, Ellison visited Norway due to the country's role in the Israeli-Palestinian peace process and the Norwegian-American heritage of many of his constituents. He met with former Norwegian Prime Minister Kjell Magne Bondevik.
On March 21, 2008, Ellison issued a statement criticizing the Chinese government for its Tibet policy and its relationship with Sudan's leaders "as they commit genocide on the citizens of Darfur."
In mid-2008, Ellison was part of a U.S. House Democracy Assistance Commission delegation that visited six African countries. Upon returning, Ellison emphasized the importance of peace and security in a globalized world. He also met Sarah Hussein Onyango Obama in Nairobi, Kenya.
With his victory to the United States House of Representatives in 2008, Ellison became the first Muslim elected to the U.S. Congress and the highest Muslim elected official in the United States. His election is seen as inspirational to American Muslims, and he encourages civic empowerment through participation in the political process.
On February 19, 2009, Ellison, along with Representative Brian Baird, visited Gaza to assess the damage from the Gaza War and meet with relief agencies, including the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East. This visit was the first by any U.S. government official to Gaza in over three years.
In 2009, Keith Ellison received a 100% rating from NARAL Pro-Choice America, indicating a pro-choice voting record.
In 2009, the bill to outlaw universal default, that Keith Ellison introduced on May 3, 2007, ultimately became law as part of the "Credit Cardholders' Bill of Rights" portion of the Credit CARD Act of 2009.
On November 12, 2010, in an interview with the BBC's Outlook program, Keith Ellison described his district as one where a Member of Congress can stand for religious tolerance and gay rights.
In 2010, Keith Ellison filed for legal separation from Kim Ellison.
In 2010, Keith Ellison gave a speech in which he asked why the United States foreign policy in the Middle East "is governed by what is good or bad through a country of 7 million people. A region of 350 million all turns on a country of 7 million. Does that make sense? Is that logic?"
In 2011, Keith Ellison received a 100% rating from NARAL Pro-Choice America, indicating a pro-choice voting record.
In 2011, Keith Ellison was named an Utne Reader visionary.
On May 2, 2012, Keith Ellison's divorce from his former wife, Kim, was finalized.
During a March 2014 appearance on Real Time with Bill Maher, Keith Ellison expressed support for gun control, stating that common-sense gun rules do not require eliminating all gun ownership.
On April 3, 2014, Keith Ellison introduced the Money Remittances Improvement Act of 2014 (H.R. 4386; 113th Congress) into the United States House to make it easier for nonbank financial institutions to provide remittance payments internationally.
In 2014, Keith Ellison's book My Country 'Tis of Thee was published.
In 2015, Ellison was one of only five Democrats in Congress who voted against the Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act. He supported normalizing Iran-United States relations and reopening an interest section or embassy in Tehran, arguing that maintaining contact is beneficial for both countries.
In November 2016, Keith Ellison was endorsed by Senator Bernie Sanders and incoming Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer for the position of DNC chair.
In November 2016, Kim Ellison was elected as an at-large member to the Minneapolis School Board.
In November 2016, a 2010 speech by Keith Ellison was published, raising concerns about his views on U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East and his stance on Israel. The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) expressed concerns, and some donors accused him of anti-Semitism. This led to what some reporters described as a smear campaign, though others defended his record on pro-Israel policies.
In 2016, CNN referred to Keith Ellison's "decade-long involvement in the Nation of Islam", which added to his controversies.
In 2016, Ellison endorsed Bernie Sanders for president in the Democratic primary, becoming the second U.S. Representative to do so. After Hillary Clinton secured the party's nomination, Ellison endorsed her as well.
In 2016, some Democrats opposed Keith Ellison's candidacy for DNC chair due to concerns about his ability to devote himself to the position full-time and ideological differences, mirroring the division between Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders supporters.
In February 2017, despite being perceived as the front-runner, Tom Perez was elected DNC chair and subsequently motioned for Keith Ellison to be elected "deputy chair".
On August 17, 2017, Ellison publicly stated his support for the concept of a guaranteed basic income.
In 2017, Ellison expressed openness to demands for initiating an impeachment process against President Donald Trump, stating that Trump had already taken actions that legitimately raised the question of impeachment.
In 2017, Keith Ellison became the Deputy Chair of the Democratic National Committee.
In 2017, Keith Ellison garnered national attention in his campaign for the Democratic National Committee chairmanship, gaining support from progressive groups and senators Bernie Sanders and Chuck Schumer. However, his past statements and affiliation with the Nation of Islam drew criticism, and he lost to Tom Perez, who subsequently appointed him deputy chair.
In 2017, after Donna Brazile resigned, Keith Ellison ran for the chairmanship of the Democratic National Committee, along with other candidates. Ellison was a top contender and viewed as a progressive alternative. The race was seen by some as a proxy battle between the Clinton and Sanders factions of the party.
On June 5, 2018, Keith Ellison announced that he would not seek reelection to a seventh term in Congress and would instead run for Minnesota Attorney General.
In August 2018, Keith Ellison's ex-girlfriend Karen Monahan accused him of domestic abuse, alleging he attempted to drag her off a bed. Ellison denied the allegations. An investigation later concluded the accusations were unsubstantiated.
On November 6, 2018, Keith Ellison won the election for Attorney General of Minnesota, becoming the first African American elected to statewide office in Minnesota, as well as the first Muslim elected to a statewide office in the United States.
On November 8, 2018, Keith Ellison resigned as deputy chair of the Democratic National Committee to focus on his upcoming tenure as Attorney General of Minnesota.
On December 1, 2018, Keith Ellison married Mónica Hurtado.
In 2018, Keith Ellison voiced his support for the Reward Work Act of 2018, which aims to reform US labor and corporate law by granting employees in listed companies the right to elect one-third of the board of directors.
In 2018, Keith Ellison was elected attorney general of Minnesota, becoming the first African American elected to partisan statewide office in Minnesota and the first Muslim in the U.S. to win statewide office.
In 2018, Keith Ellison's term as Deputy Chair of the Democratic National Committee ended.
On June 28, 2019, Ellison endorsed Bernie Sanders for president, citing Medicare for All. He later endorsed Joe Biden after Biden won the Democratic nomination.
On December 4, 2019, Keith Ellison sued e-cigarette company JUUL for allegedly targeting children and teenagers with their products and advertisements.
By December 2019, when Donald Trump was impeached, Ellison was no longer serving in the House of Representatives.
In 2019, Bloomington passed an ordinance against filming students at Dar Al-Farooq Islamic Center in a public park, resulting in a lawsuit that successfully reinstated First Amendment rights in the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit. Ellison had requested the court to drop the case.
In 2019, Keith Ellison became the 30th attorney general of Minnesota.
In March 2020, Sparboe Farms tripled its egg prices during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to a lawsuit filed by Keith Ellison, which was later settled in September 2021.
In April 2020, Keith Ellison reached a settlement with Forsman Farms, preventing them from increasing egg prices by over 150% during the COVID-19 pandemic.
On May 31, 2020, Keith Ellison was appointed as special prosecutor in the Derek Chauvin case by Minnesota governor Tim Walz.
In October 2020, Keith Ellison launched an investigation into Atlas Aegis, a private security company, over concerns that armed guards patrolling polling places could intimidate voters. He later secured a legally binding agreement preventing the company's plans.
According to ShotSpotter data cited in Keith Ellison's December 2024 lawsuit, there were 154 automatic gunshots detected in Minneapolis in 2020.
On April 20, 2021, Derek Chauvin was convicted on all three counts. Keith Ellison's management of the prosecution garnered praise and fueled speculation about a potential run for higher office.
In September 2021, Keith Ellison settled a lawsuit with Sparboe Farms, an egg producer accused of tripling prices during the COVID-19 pandemic. Sparboe donated over 1 million eggs to nonprofits.
In November 2021, Keith Ellison joined a bipartisan group of attorneys general to investigate Meta, the owner of Instagram, for potential harm to young people's mental health.
In 2021, one of the firearms allegedly sold negligently by Fleet Farm was used in a shooting that killed one Minnesotan and injured 14 others, according to Keith Ellison's lawsuit filed on October 5, 2022.
Keith Ellison's lawsuit, filed in December 2024, notes that ShotSpotter detected 2,033 automatic gunshots in Minneapolis in 2021, a significant increase from the previous year.
In February 2022, Keith Ellison sued Havenbrook Homes for allegedly failing to make necessary repairs to rental properties, leaving tenants in poor living conditions.
On October 5, 2022, Keith Ellison sued Fleet Farm for negligently selling firearms to gun traffickers, alleging they ignored warning signs.
In 2022, Keith Ellison was reelected as Attorney General of Minnesota with 50.4% of the vote.
In 2022, ShotSpotter detected 3,024 automatic gunshots in Minneapolis, according to data cited in Keith Ellison's lawsuit filed in December 2024.
On March 28, 2023, the lawsuit against JUUL went to trial, making Minnesota the first state to do so. Ellison began the opening argument by accusing JUUL and Altria of addicting Minnesotan children to e-cigarettes for profit.
On April 17, 2023, the lawsuit against JUUL was settled, with JUUL agreeing to pay Minnesota $60.5 million for youth vaping prevention programs.
In October 2023, Keith Ellison and a bipartisan group of attorneys general sued Meta for knowingly deploying features, such as infinite scroll and constant alerts, to increase youth engagement on Instagram at the cost of their mental health.
In November 2023, Keith Ellison sued Agri Stats for allegedly sharing competitively sensitive information with meat processors, leading to anti-competitive practices and price increases.
In 2023, Keith Ellison successfully defeated Fleet Farm's motion to dismiss the lawsuit filed against them for negligently selling firearms to gun traffickers.
In 2023, after the DFL gained majorities in both the state House and Senate, Keith Ellison's bill to fund more criminal prosecutors from his office passed and was signed into law.
In 2023, the Minnesota Legislature signed into law a bill creating the Prescription Drug Affordability Board, a key recommendation of Keith Ellison's task force focused on lowering prescription drug prices. The board has the power to review and cap drug prices.
ShotSpotter data from Minneapolis showed 2,595 automatic gunshots detected in 2023, as mentioned in Keith Ellison's lawsuit filed in December 2024.
In March 2024, Keith Ellison announced a settlement with Havenbrook Homes, requiring them to forgive $2 million in rent and pay $2.2 million to affected tenants. Havenbrook also planned to transfer its properties to affordable housing organizations.
In December 2024, Keith Ellison sued firearm manufacturer Glock, alleging the company violated state laws by knowingly selling semi-automatic pistols that can easily be converted into illegal, fully automatic weapons.
In 2024, Keith Ellison announced deals with the big three insulin manufacturers to cap the cost of a month's supply of insulin at $35 for the next five years, resolving lawsuits over deceptive pricing.
In 2024, Keith Ellison led the passage of the Minnesota Debt Fairness Act, which bans medical providers from denying care for outstanding medical debt, ends the transfer of deceased patients' debt to their spouse, and prohibits reporting medical debt to credit agencies. He hosted a legal clinic to inform Minnesotans of their new rights.
On January 15, 2025, Keith Ellison filed a lawsuit against High Light Vapes, a company producing vapes designed to resemble highlighters, intending to make them easier for teenagers to conceal.
In August 2025, Keith Ellison announced he was suing TikTok for designing its app to addict young users at the cost of their mental health. The lawsuit also alleges that features like infinite scroll and excessive push notifications prey on the underdeveloped parts of young people's brains.
In October 2025, Keith Ellison announced that he had defeated Fleet Farm's motion for summary judgment, meaning the case would go to trial.
In October 2025, the first of Havenbrook's former properties was put back on the market after being transferred to local affordable housing organizations, following Keith Ellison's settlement.
In 2025, Keith Ellison joined other state attorneys general in a lawsuit against Executive Order 14187, which banned federal funding for gender-affirming care for minors.
In 2025, building upon agreements reached in 2024, Keith Ellison confirmed the $35 insulin cost cap deal with major manufacturers for the next five years, as part of settlements resolving deceptive pricing lawsuits.
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