Ellison Defends Foreign Trips

Appearing on Fox 9’s “Political Happy Hour” last Tuesday, Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MN) defended his trips to the Middle East and his intense involvement in American foreign policy.

Ellison’s challenger in the Fifth Congressional District race, Republican Chris Fields, has attacked Ellison’s focus on international as well as national issues.

“I see a celebrity congressman focused on Syria, Libya, and Iran, and not focused enough on the most vulnerable among us,” Fields told Fox 9 last week.

Ellison defended himself, saying “the reality is that dealing with foreign policy issues is part of your job description” as a congressperson, adding that he’s helped secure grants for local initiatives like the Northside Achievement Zone.

Ellison Speaks Before “Voterpalooza”

Ellison was joined by Minnesota Secretary of State Mark Ritchie, State Senator Kari Dziedzic, State Representative Phyllis Kahn, and Minneapolis Mayor RT Rybak at the University of Minnesota’s “Voterpalooza” event last Wednesday. The politicians spoke to several dozen students who had gathered to try to register their classmates to vote.

Ellison’s campaign announced a concert with similar aims last week, slated for Oct. 28. The event is headlined by prominent local hip-hop artists Brother Ali, Slug Of Atmosphere, Dessa and Sims of Doomtree, I Self Devine, and many others.

Ellison, Fields Spar In WCCO Debate

Ellison and Fields went head-to-head in a meaty half-hour debate on WCCO News Radio 830 on Thursday. Both candidates came away saying they’d won, and both offered specifics on their policy visions. Check out Patch’s take on the debate here.

Patch to Cover Next Ellison-Fields Debate Live.

Join Patch and KFAI-FM for a debate on Thursday, Oct. 18, 2012, 9–10 a.m., with Fields and Ellison: the two men who want to represent Minnesota's Fifth District in Congress.

Listen to a live broadcast or online livestream as Ahndi Fridell moderates the debate. Patch will help you participate by hosting a liveblog with live user participation at the five Patch sites in the Fifth District: Richfield Patch, Hopkins Patch, Southwest Minneapolis Patch, St. Louis Park Patch, Golden Valley Patch and Edina Patch (part of Edina joins the Fifth District in 2013).

See how the two candidates tangled at the Minnesota State Fair in a debate hosted by Minnesota Public Radio.