Rep. Keith Ellison is under fire over a Facebook post alleging he physically and emotionally abused a former girlfriend. The Minnesota Democrat has emphatically denied the allegations, but local politicians are calling on him to address the allegations.
Ellison, who is the co-chair of the Democratic National Committee, is currently running to be Minnesota's attorney general. The progressive leader chose to vacate his seat in Congress to pursue the state position. A primary is being held Tuesday to determine who the Democratic nominee will be in the attorney general race.
The allegations on Facebook were made by the son of Karen Monahan, an organizer for the Sierra Club.
This new allegation against @KeithEllison is quite something. #MNPol pic.twitter.com/Khl64U02CA
— Aaron Booth (@ActorAaronBooth) August 12, 2018
Austin Monahan alleged that Ellison was emotionally abusive during the relationship and that there was even video of him attacking Karen. No video has been produced.
MPR News reviewed hundreds of text messages between Monahan and Ellison that confirm the two were in a relationship. The communications also suggest there was a rough break up. However, MPR News reported that Monahan and Ellison were, at times, friendly with one another after the relationship had ended. None of the texts mentioned any acts of violence that Monahan's son mentioned on Facebook.
Ellison has denied any wrongdoing.
"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. "This video does not exist because I never behaved in this way, and any characterization otherwise is false."
Monahan, meanwhile, has confirmed that her son's Facebook post is true.
What my son said is true. Every statement he made was true.@keithellison, you know you did that to me. I have given every opportunity to get help and heal. Even now, u r willing to say my son is lying and have me continue to leak more text and info just so others will believe him
— Karen Monahan (@KarenMonahan01) August 12, 2018
I am so proud of my son for his courage. But this situation impacted me. If you have anything to say, please say it me and leave him out of it. No nasty comments to him https://t.co/UC84loHz1m
— Karen Monahan (@KarenMonahan01) August 12, 2018
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