Keith Ellison

Keith Ellison
Born	Keith Maurice Ellison 4 8, 1963
Birthplace	Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
Nationality	American
Occupation	Politician, lawyer, attorney general
Known for	First Muslim elected to the United States Congress; first African-American representative from Minnesota; 30th Attorney General of Minnesota
Education	Wayne State University (BA) University of Minnesota (JD)
Children	4

Keith Maurice Ellison (born August 4, 1963) is an American politician and lawyer who has served as the 30th Attorney General of Minnesota since January 2019. Before assuming statewide office, Ellison represented Minnesota's 5th congressional district—encompassing the Minneapolis metropolitan area—in the United States House of Representatives from 2007 to 2019. A member of the Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party (DFL), Minnesota's affiliate of the national Democratic Party, Ellison made history in 2006 when he became the first Muslim elected to the United States Congress and the first African American to represent Minnesota in the House. During his congressional tenure, he co-chaired the Congressional Progressive Caucus and served as a chief deputy whip. In 2017, he ran for chair of the Democratic National Committee, ultimately losing to Tom Perez, who then appointed Ellison as deputy chair. His election as attorney general in 2018 made him the first African American elected to partisan statewide office in Minnesota and the first Muslim in the United States to win statewide office. He was reelected in 2022 with 50.4 percent of the vote. As attorney general, Ellison has led high-profile litigation on consumer protection, civil rights, and public safety matters, including actions related to firearm straw purchases and worker protection laws.

Early Life

Keith Maurice Ellison was born on August 4, 1963, in Detroit, Michigan. He was raised in a large family in Detroit, growing up in a household that valued education and civic engagement. Ellison was one of five brothers, several of whom went on to pursue careers in law and public service.

Ellison was raised Catholic but converted to Islam during his college years. He has spoken publicly about his faith journey, describing his conversion as a personal decision rooted in spiritual exploration during his time at Wayne State University.

During the 1990s, Ellison was involved with the Nation of Islam for a period of approximately 18 months. He participated in organizing activities around the 1995 Million Man March and wrote articles in a law school newspaper under the name "Keith X Ellison" and "Keith Hakim." His past association with the Nation of Islam and its leader Louis Farrakhan later became a recurring subject of scrutiny during his political campaigns and his 2017 bid for chair of the Democratic National Committee. Ellison subsequently disavowed the Nation of Islam and its anti-Semitic rhetoric. In a 2006 open letter published in the Star Tribune, Ellison wrote that he had been drawn to the Nation of Islam's message of African-American empowerment but did not adequately scrutinize its other positions, calling his lack of awareness "wrong and I deeply regret it."

Ellison attended high school at the University of Detroit Jesuit High School, a private Jesuit preparatory school in Detroit known for its rigorous academic program.

Education

Ellison earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Wayne State University in Detroit. He subsequently moved to Minnesota to attend law school at the University of Minnesota Law School, where he received his Juris Doctor (JD) degree. After completing law school, Ellison practiced law in Minnesota, specializing in civil rights law, defense of tenants facing eviction, and other areas of public interest litigation. His legal background in civil rights and community advocacy work informed his later political career and his approach to the office of attorney general.

Career

Early Legal Career

After earning his law degree from the University of Minnesota, Ellison worked as an attorney in the Minneapolis area. He practiced law with a focus on civil rights, representing individuals in housing disputes and other matters related to social justice. He also worked at a Minneapolis law firm, where he handled trial work and provided legal services to community members. His legal career established him within the Minneapolis community and provided the foundation for his entry into electoral politics.

Minnesota House of Representatives (2003–2007)

Ellison entered electoral politics in 2002 when he ran for the Minnesota House of Representatives, seeking to represent District 58B, which covered portions of north Minneapolis. He won the seat and began serving in the Minnesota House on January 7, 2003, succeeding Gregory Gray.

During his time in the state legislature, Ellison focused on issues including criminal justice reform, civil liberties, and community development. He served in the Minnesota House through 2006, when he launched his campaign for the United States Congress. His successor in the state House seat was Augustine Dominguez.

U.S. House of Representatives (2007–2019)

2006 Election

In 2006, Ellison ran for Minnesota's 5th congressional district seat being vacated by retiring longtime incumbent Martin Olav Sabo. The 5th district, centered on Minneapolis, was considered one of the most liberal congressional districts in the nation. Ellison first won the DFL primary election on September 12, 2006, emerging from a competitive field of candidates.

In the November 2006 general election, Ellison won decisively, capturing the seat and making national history as the first Muslim elected to the United States Congress and the first African-American representative from Minnesota. His election generated substantial media attention nationally and internationally. When he took the oath of office in January 2007, Ellison used a Quran once owned by Thomas Jefferson, borrowed from the Library of Congress, for his ceremonial swearing-in—a moment that drew both praise and controversy.

Congressional Tenure

Ellison served six terms in the U.S. House of Representatives, from January 3, 2007, to January 3, 2019. Throughout his tenure, he represented one of the most progressive districts in the country and established himself as a leading voice within the Democratic Party's progressive wing.

Ellison served as co-chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus alongside Representative Raúl Grijalva of Arizona from January 3, 2011, to May 23, 2017. In this role, he helped shape the caucus's legislative agenda on issues including income inequality, labor rights, healthcare, and criminal justice reform. He succeeded Representative Lynn Woolsey as co-chair, and was later succeeded by Representative Mark Pocan.

Ellison also held the position of chief deputy whip in the House Democratic Caucus, working to build legislative coalitions and coordinate party messaging. His roles within the caucus structure demonstrated his influence among House Democrats, particularly within the party's progressive faction.

During his time in Congress, Ellison supported measures related to campaign finance reform, the expansion of affordable healthcare, immigration reform, and civil rights protections. He was an advocate for raising the federal minimum wage and for policies aimed at reducing economic inequality. He also served on the House Financial Services Committee, where he was involved in oversight of the financial industry in the years following the 2008 financial crisis.

His past associations with the Nation of Islam continued to draw scrutiny during his congressional career. Ellison repeatedly addressed these concerns, reiterating his disavowal of the organization and expressing regret for his past involvement.

2017 DNC Chair Race

Following the 2016 presidential election, Ellison launched a bid for chair of the Democratic National Committee (DNC). His candidacy was supported by prominent progressive figures, including U.S. Senators Bernie Sanders and Chuck Schumer, as well as by progressive advocacy organizations. Ellison positioned himself as a candidate who could rebuild the Democratic Party by energizing its grassroots base and focusing on a progressive economic message.

The campaign attracted renewed scrutiny of Ellison's past ties to the Nation of Islam, with some moderate Democrats and outside critics raising concerns about his earlier statements and associations. Ellison lost the DNC chairmanship election on February 25, 2017, to former Secretary of Labor Tom Perez in a closely contested race. Following the vote, Perez immediately appointed Ellison as deputy chair of the DNC, a position Ellison held from February 25, 2017, until November 8, 2018. His predecessor in the deputy chair role was Mike Honda, who had last held the position in 2005; the position was abolished after Ellison's departure.

Attorney General of Minnesota (2019–present)

2018 Election

In June 2018, Ellison announced he would not seek reelection to Congress and would instead run for Attorney General of Minnesota. He won the DFL primary and subsequently the general election in November 2018, succeeding Lori Swanson. His election made him the first African American elected to partisan statewide office in Minnesota and the first Muslim in the United States to win statewide office. He assumed office on January 7, 2019, with Tim Walz serving as governor.

Ellison's congressional seat in Minnesota's 5th district was won by Ilhan Omar, who became the first Somali-American member of Congress.

First Term (2019–2023)

As attorney general, Ellison oversaw a wide range of legal matters on behalf of the state of Minnesota, including consumer protection, civil rights enforcement, antitrust litigation, and public safety. His office took on cases related to corporate fraud, environmental protection, and the rights of workers and tenants.

One of the most prominent cases during Ellison's first term was the prosecution of Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis police officer convicted of murdering George Floyd on May 25, 2020. Governor Walz assigned the case to Ellison's office, and the attorney general's team led the prosecution. Chauvin was convicted on April 20, 2021, on charges of second-degree unintentional murder, third-degree murder, and second-degree manslaughter. The case drew international attention and was widely covered by media outlets around the world.

2022 Reelection

Ellison ran for reelection as attorney general in 2022 and won with 50.4 percent of the vote, securing a second term.

Second Term (2023–present)

In his second term, Ellison has continued to pursue cases involving consumer protection, public safety, and civil rights. In February 2025, his office reached a settlement with Fleet Farm, a retail chain, over allegations related to firearm straw purchasing. Under the settlement, Fleet Farm agreed to pay $1 million and adopt new policies and training measures to prevent straw purchases of firearms.

Ellison's office also defended Minnesota's worker protection law, which bans so-called "captive audience" meetings—mandatory employer-held meetings intended to discourage workers from unionizing. The U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear a challenge to the law in February 2025, effectively upholding the state's ban.

In early 2025, Ellison publicly criticized the White House over federal immigration enforcement actions in Minnesota, accusing the administration of engaging in "politics and retribution." His comments followed the apprehension of a five-year-old child named Liam Ramos by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in the state.

Also in early 2025, the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform held hearings investigating allegations of widespread welfare fraud in Minnesota. Committee Chairman James Comer announced that both Governor Walz and Attorney General Ellison would testify regarding allegations that their offices failed to adequately address fraud in federally funded programs. The committee's post-hearing summary alleged that Walz and Ellison "ignored rampant taxpayer fraud and silenced state whistleblowers." Ellison and his office have disputed these characterizations. Audio from a 2021 meeting between Ellison and Somali community members—some of whom were later convicted of fraud—also resurfaced amid the congressional investigation.

Separately, Ellison addressed a controversy involving protests at a St. Paul church related to ICE enforcement actions. He denied that demonstrators, including television journalist Don Lemon, had violated the federal Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act (FACE Act), even as the Department of Justice considered potential charges.

Personal Life

Keith Ellison was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, and has lived in Minnesota since attending law school at the University of Minnesota. He has four children, including his son Jeremiah Ellison, who has been involved in Minneapolis politics.

Ellison converted to Sunni Islam while a student at Wayne State University and has been open about his faith throughout his public life. He was the first Muslim member of the United States Congress, and his religious identity has been a subject of both celebration and controversy throughout his career.

Ellison has spoken about his upbringing in a Catholic household with four brothers, and the influence his family had on his interest in public service and social justice. He has described his conversion to Islam as the product of a personal search for meaning during his college years, and has stated that his faith motivates his commitment to public service.

Ellison has resided in Minneapolis throughout his political career, maintaining close ties to the communities he represented in both the Minnesota House and the U.S. Congress.

Recognition

Ellison's election to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2006 was a milestone event in American political history. He became the first Muslim member of Congress, a distinction that garnered international media attention and inspired discussions about religious diversity in American government. His ceremonial swearing-in using Thomas Jefferson's Quran was covered extensively by news organizations worldwide.

As the first African-American representative from Minnesota, Ellison also expanded the state's history of political representation. His subsequent election as attorney general in 2018 added further distinctions: he became the first African American elected to partisan statewide office in Minnesota and the first Muslim to win statewide office anywhere in the United States.

Within the Democratic Party, Ellison was recognized for his role in building the Congressional Progressive Caucus into a more prominent force within the House Democratic Caucus during his tenure as co-chair from 2011 to 2017.

Legacy

Ellison's career has been defined by a series of political firsts and by his identification with the progressive wing of the Democratic Party. His election to Congress in 2006 opened a door for subsequent Muslim-American candidates, including Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib, both elected to the U.S. House in 2018. Omar succeeded Ellison directly in Minnesota's 5th congressional district, maintaining the seat's status as one represented by a Muslim-American member of Congress.

His tenure as co-chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus coincided with a period of growth and increased visibility for the caucus, which became one of the largest ideological caucuses in the House.

As attorney general, Ellison's prosecution of the Derek Chauvin case was among the most closely watched criminal trials in American history, occurring against the backdrop of a national reckoning with racial injustice and police use of force following George Floyd's death.

His career has also been marked by controversy, particularly surrounding his past association with the Nation of Islam, which he has repeatedly disavowed. These issues have resurfaced at multiple points in his political career, including during his 2006 congressional campaign and his 2017 DNC chair race.

As of 2025, Ellison continues to serve as Minnesota's attorney general, engaged in ongoing litigation and policy matters related to consumer protection, public safety, workers' rights, and civil rights.