Rep. Keith Ellison wins Democratic primary for Minnesota attorney general

[David__77]

Despite recent allegations of domestic violence, US Rep. Keith Ellison won the Democratic primary election for Minnesota attorney general on Tuesday night and will be the party’s nominee in November.

...

But now that Ellison has won the Democratic nomination, Republicans are sure to keep the pressure on his campaign about the Monahan allegations — as well as other domestic violence allegations made by a woman named Amy Alexander in 2006.

Minnesota hasn’t had a Republican attorney general since 1955. But this unique situation could give them an opening to take the spot.

https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2018/8/14/17688714/keith-ellison-minnesota-primary-election-2018-results-karen-monahan

[brush]

1. Oh, the timing of those charges. Makes one wonder in money passed hands.

[scarletwoman]

2. That's with 33.97% of the vote.

I hate these premature declarations.

I voted for Ellison myself, but I just don't think it's right to declare winners when only just over one third of the vote has been tallied: https://electionresults.sos.state.mn.us/Results/AttorneyGeneral/114?id=st&officeInElectionId=17118

[David__77]

3. 44% in - Ellison leads nearest competitor 52.5% - 17.1%

I could see the margin closing several points. I see no way that Ellison won't be the winner.

[dflprincess]

4. Despite what the article in the OP says

Minnesota had a Republican Attorney General, Douglas Head, from 1967-1971. The DFL controlled the office from 1955 to 1967 and from 1971 to the present.

Hopefully it will continue to do so. I am not a fan of Ellison (though I will vote for him in November) and feel there were a couple candidates that would make better AGs than he will. And, I'm worried how he'll do in a statewide race when it's not just DFLers voting. He does have some baggage (besides this weekend's events) that, while not all that serious, will make fodder for a negative Republican campaign.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

9. My sentiments exactly.

I was torn between Hillstrom and Rothman (don't know why the party endorsed Pelikan; he's not very experienced); even before the abuse allegations came out (and the timing is dubious) I worried that Ellison wouldn't do as well outstate as he has in CD5. I hope he didn't do what he's accused of doing and that the accusations won't take him down (not that GOPers seem to care much about domestic abuse annyhow).

[dflprincess]

11. After Swanson dropped out of the race at the state

Convention, Pelikan was the only one left so I guess the delegates thought they had to endorse someone. I really hope Swanson is kicking herself tonight

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

5. The timing of the allegations is suspicious, to say the least.

However, as much as I like Ellison I'm not sure how well he'll do "outstate" despite his popularity in CD5 - some parts of the state are pretty conservative, even the Democrats. I voted for another candidate for that reason, and I made that decision before the abuse claims came out. I guess we'll have to pitch in and do what we can to help him win.

[wellst0nev0ter]

6. Ahh, this post takes me back

to the time I used to be in Minnesota, where even the Democrats are racists.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

7. Unfortunately not all Democrats in this state (as in other states) are what you'd call

progressive or free of prejudice, especially in some rural areas. That's probably why Trump came within 1% of winning here. But obviously we aren't all racists, either; there are a lot of good liberals, and we're hoping to put the state back in the solid "blue" column.

[wellst0nev0ter]

8. Yeah, those places are hellholes

Spent too many years in East Grand Forks.

All I know is that I feel more comfortable in the Bronx than I ever did back there.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

10. East Grand Forks isn't the end of the universe, but

you can see it from there.