Minnesota Democratic Rep. Keith Ellison has been elected as the state Attorney General, fending off his Republican opponent in an election mired with domestic abuse allegations, Fox News informed.
Ellison, the deputy chair of the Democratic National Committee, won over Republican Doug Wardlow and his ambitious run to become the first Republican state attorney general in nearly half a century. Ellison was first seen as a comfortable favorite until his former girlfriend accused him of physical and emotional abuse when they dated, throwing his campaign in a turmoil.
The Democratic candidate rejected these allegations and subjected himself to a probe. Minnesota’s Democratic Party commissioned an investigation that cleared Ellison of misconduct.
“He presented as sincere in his shock, hurt, and disbelief that Ms. Monahan would make these allegations against him,” a lawyer who investigated the allegations wrote in a report.
Ellison said that his former girlfriend fabricated the domestic violence allegations due to the fact that she is jealous of the congressman’s current girlfriend.
While the Democrat was supposed to be comfortable in the fight against Warlow, a little-known former state lawmaker who turned the allegations into a key campaign issue, polls showed the lead tighten.
The Ellison accusations put Democrats in an uncomfortable position, as they took a strict stance concerning the sexual misconduct allegations against now-Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh.
Democrats have held the office for more than four decades, and Democrats had expressed concern that the allegations against Ellison could damage their chances in the race.
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