Ellison Stumps for Elizabeth Warren at DNC

CHARLOTTE — Minnesota Rep. Keith Ellison told a crowd of Massachusetts Democrats that defeating first-term U.S. Sen. Scott Brown, R-Mass., is a top prirority for the party.

"Other than re-electing Barack Obama, reclaiming the seat of Teddy Kennedy is the most quintessential priority of our party," said Ellison, D-Minn., at a Monday delegate breakfast.

The suburban Minneapolis congressman was encouraging Bay State Democrats to campaign for Warren, who is in a close contest with Brown, who claimed the seat in 2010 when Sen. Edward Kennedy died.

Democrat began their convention in Charlotte on Monday. President Obama will accept the party's nomination in a Thursday evening speech expected to draw more than 70,000 spectators.