The Congressional Leadership Fund is attacking Democratic candidates running in competitive House races in Minnesota for not joining the National Organization for Women in demanding that former Rep. Keith Ellison end his bid for state attorney general following allegations of domestic abuse.
The ads from CLF, which is aligned with House Speaker Paul D. Ryan, say Dan Feehan in the 1st Congressional District, Angie Craig in the 2nd Congressional District, Dean Phillips in the 3rd Congressional District and Joe Radinovich in the 8th Congressional District should be “ashamed” for sticking with Mr. Ellison after his ex-girlfriend Karen Monahan accused him of physically and verbally abusing her.
“Disturbing allegations of domestic violence against Congressman Keith Ellison,” the narrator says in an ad.
The spot features footage of his Ms. Monahan telling CBS that Mr. Ellison swore at her, told her to leave his house and “started trying to drag me off the bed.”
“But Dan Feehan is standing by Keith Ellison,” the narrator says.
“Backing Ellison instead of believing his victim?”
Mr. Ellison, who stepped down from his seat in the House to run for attorney general, has denied any wrongdoing and vowed to face the accusations head-on. The Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party endorsed his candidacy over the weekend, though Democrats are still concerned about having Mr. Ellison on the ticket.
The National Organization for Women last week said Mr. Ellison must leave the race.
“We believe survivors,” NOW President Toni Van Pelt said in a statement.
“Keith Ellison says he wants to protect women from domestic violence and sexual assault,” she said. “That starts by believing survivors. Enough is enough. The time is NOW to stop this culture of oppression and silencing women.”
• Seth McLaughlin can be reached at smclaughlin@washingtontimes.com.
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