Strib Makes Endorsement in Fields, Ellison Race

The Star Tribune believes Keith Ellison (DFL) would best serve Minnesota's 5th Congressional District, according to an editorial penned Sunday.

While the publication ultimately endorsed Ellison over Chris Fields (R), the editorial does praise the Republican newcomer as "impressive."

"[Fields] needs to invest more time in the community before he's ready for Congress," the editorial reads.

The endorsement does mention the volatile KFAI debate between the two candidates, admitting Ellison "failed to meet his own standards of decorum" in calling Fields a "lowlife scumbag." That said, the Strib argues the meltdown was out of character for Ellison—who apologized for the outburst—and that voters should "give Ellison a pass this time and send him back to the U.S. House."

Fields, Ellison Make Nice During Panel Discussion

Ellison and Fields had a face-to-face interaction for the first time since their heated KFAI debate during a panel discussion this week, but MPR reports it was a much more subdued affair this time around.

The two candidates were guests on local television program "Conversations with Al McFarlane," taking questions from a small panel at separate times. During a brief overlap in the studio, MPR said they exchanged "a brief and polite 'how do you do' as Fields finished his segment with the panel."

Fields continued to push his desire to debate Ellison again before Election Day, saying he holds nothing against his DFL opponent for what happened during the KFAI debate.

"I think side-by-side in a town hall forum where the voters, where the people get to ask the questions — I mean, that is fair," Fields said. "That should be part of our democracy. He should be willing to defend his record. I'm afraid right now he's trying to duck this debate."

Ellison neither referred to Ellison by name, nor talked about their last debate, according to MPR.

Ellison-Hosted 'Get Out to Vote Concert' Hits First Avenue

An Ellison-sponsored concert featuring a number of local hip-hop artists took place Sunday, Oct. 28 at First Avenue.

The Get Out to Vote Concert was—appropriately—designed to get Twin Cities residents registered and ready to vote on Nov. 6.

The show featured artists Brother Ali, Slug (of Atmosphere), Dessa and Sims of Doomtree, I Self Devine and several others. Ellison hosted the concert and was posting pictures of the festivities on social media.

Ellison managed to please at least one attendee. His daughter took to Twitter afterward to congratulate him on a job well done.

"Not too shabby of a show," she wrote.