The Democratic National Committee said it is reviewing allegations against its deputy chair, Rep. Keith Ellison, three days after he was accused of physically and verbally abusing his ex-girlfriend.
“These allegations recently came to light and we are reviewing them,” the DNC told NPR in a statement Tuesday evening. “All allegations of domestic abuse are disturbing and should be taken seriously.”
The statement comes three days after Austin Monahan, the 25-year-old son of Karen Monahan, alleged in a Facebook post that he found a two-minute video on his mother’s computer that showed Mr. Ellison dragging her off a bed and screaming profanity at her. He also claimed to have seen hundreds of text messages showing Mr. Ellison verbally and mentally abusing his mother.
Mr. Ellison denied the allegations and said no such video existed.
“Karen and I were in a long-term relationship which ended in 2016, and I still care deeply for her well-being,” he said in a statement Sunday. “This video does not exist because I never behaved in this way, and any characterization otherwise is false.”
Just hours after the DNC said it was reviewing the allegations, Mr. Ellison went on to win the Democratic primary for Minnesota attorney general, easily besting four other challengers Tuesday evening.
Thank you, thank you, thank you to all who knocked the doors, made the phone calls, and carried this campaign through the finish line tonight.
— Keith Ellison (@keithellison) August 15, 2018
Onward to November! pic.twitter.com/5WII6XyYLe
• Jessica Chasmar can be reached at jchasmar@washingtontimes.com.
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