Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MN) is considering a run for Minnesota attorney general, Politico reported Friday, citing four unnamed people with whom he’d discussed the possibility.
Ellison, a progressive and an ally of Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), is currently the deputy chair of the Democratic National Committee.
Lori Swanson, the state’s current attorney general, is expected to run for governor, Politico noted.
The publication added, citing multiple unnamed people with whom Ellison has spoken in recent months, that the congressman “has grown listless and bored in the House.”
Politico also reported that though Ellison has reached out to the Democratic campaign organization for attorneys general, the Democratic Attorneys General Association, he has told several people that he’s “less likely to run, [though] he finds the idea enticing.”
I was going to ask “Why?” but I guess boredom is a reason.
On the other hand, Congressman, think how much more interesting life can be when Democrats re-take the House!
I would support Ellison doing this. It could be a good model for Berner partisans to follow. Instead of trying to muck up the national party and fighting people who are your natural allies, go out and demonstrate to voters that your principles can work. Persuade people and prepare to be persuaded. Prepare to push your values and prepare to compromise. Learn to govern. Don’t just sit in a peanut gallery lobbing crap at people and pushing conspiracy theories.
And also: build deep strength in the state governments. Because when things go south (ahem) at the federal level, statehouses are a crucial line of defense.
I’m good with this. I think Ellison’s a serious person. I think he does our brand some good and we’ve got to look to growing our presence in the statehouses.
I live in MN-05 and I do vote for Keith there. But, I’m not sure I trust his political or personal judgement beyond that however. I’d have to look really hard to see if he really did measure up to any alternatives. He was all-in for BS far after it was obvious that it was damaging to the party and his unequivocal and vocal support for Cornell West really damaged my opinion of Keith. I realize others vehemently disagree with this POV, but that’s my position.