Representative Keith Ellison

Keith Ellison served as a Representative from Minnesota in the United States Congress from 2007 to 2019. A member of the Democratic Party, Keith Ellison contributed to the legislative process during 6 terms in office.

Keith Ellison’s service in Congress occurred during a significant period in American history. As a member of the House of Representatives, Keith Ellison participated in the democratic process and represented the interests of constituents.

Keith Maurice Ellison (born August 4, 1963) is an American politician and lawyer serving since 2019 as the 30th attorney general of Minnesota. A member of the Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party (DFL), Ellison was the U.S. representative for Minnesota’s 5th congressional district from 2007 to 2019. He served as Deputy Chair of the Democratic National Committee from 2017 to 2018, and was a member of the Minnesota House of Representatives from 2003 to 2007. In Congress, Ellison built a reputation as a progressive leader. Born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, Ellison moved to Minnesota for law school. In 2002, he was elected to the Minnesota House, where he served two terms before being elected to Congress in 2006. His district included Minneapolis, the state’s largest city, and its inner-ring suburbs. In Congress, Ellison was a vice-chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus and a chief deputy whip. He also sat on the House Committee on Financial Services. Ellison was the first Muslim elected to Congress and the first African American representative from Minnesota. Ellison’s profile was raised when he ran for chair of the Democratic National Committee in November 2016, gaining support from progressive groups and U.S. senators Bernie Sanders and Chuck Schumer. His candidacy prompted renewed scrutiny of his past statements and affiliation with the Nation of Islam, which drew criticism from some moderate Democrats. Ellison lost to former Secretary of Labor Tom Perez, who subsequently appointed Ellison deputy chair, a decision approved by unanimous voice vote of DNC members. Ellison won the 2018 Minnesota Attorney General election, defeating Republican nominee Doug Wardlow and becoming the first African American elected to partisan statewide office in Minnesota and the first Muslim in the U.S. to win statewide office. He was reelected in 2022 with 50.4% of the vote.