Minnesota Democratic Congressman Keith Ellison won Tuesday’s election to be the state’s next attorney general despite being weighed down by accusations of domestic violence.
Keith Ellison, Democratic congressman whose ex-girlfriend accused him of abusing her, elected Minnesota attorney general. #Election2018 https://t.co/5TebZ1KJqe
— The Associated Press (@AP) November 7, 2018
MPR News called the race for Ellison with about 94 percent of precincts reporting with him leading 49 percent to 45 percent against Republican challenger Doug Wardlow. (RELATED: DNC Finally Breaks Silence On Ellison Allegations. Here’s What It Said)
Ellison was accused of domestic violence by Karen Monahan, an ex-girlfriend. Monahan alleged there was a video to prove her claim, but refused to release it citing her being exposed in it.
Her refusal to produce the video led Minnesota attorney Susan Ellingstad “to conclude that the allegation is unsubstantiated,” according to a draft version of Ellingstad’s report obtained by The Associated Press.
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – OCTOBER 04: Doug Wardlow, Republican candidate for Minnesota Attorney General, speaks at a campaign rally held by US President Donald Trump on October 4, 2018 at Mayo Civic Center in Rochester, Minnesota. (Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
“An allegation standing alone is not necessarily sufficient to conclude that conduct occurred, particularly where the accusing party declines to produce supporting evidence that she herself asserts exists,” Ellingstad wrote. “She has thus repeatedly placed the existence of the video front and center to her allegations, but then has refused to disclose it.”
The investigation was viewed by Wardlow as “laughable,” because Ellingstad is the legal partner of Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party’s (DFL’s) own attorney, Charlie Nauen.
WASHINGTON, DC – JULY 19: Democratic National Committee Deputy Chairman Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MN) addresses a rally against Trump Administration education funding cuts outside the U.S. Capitol July 19, 2017 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Monahan explained further why she did not plan on releasing the video in an interview with Fox News’ Tucker Carlson.
She said, “That is my pain, and for something like that — for everybody look at and ogle over, something that very traumatizing for me — absolutely not. I would not allow the public to see it. If and when I decide to show it to somebody, it will be in my time. This is a process.”
Ellison adamantly denied the claims, even when Wardlow brought them up during their debate.