Keith Ellison biography

Synopsis

Profile

Politician, U.S. congressman, lawyer. Born on August 4, 1963, in Detroit, Michigan. In 2006, Ellison broke new ground as the first black Muslim elected to the U.S. Congress from Minnesota. Raised as a Catholic, Ellison converted to Islam as a college student at Wayne State University.

Ellison moved to Minnesota in 1987 to attend law school and graduated in 1990. He started his law career with the firm of Lindquist & Vennum before becoming the executive director of the Legal Rights Center. Ellison later returned to private practice.

Besides practicing law, Ellison was active in the community and public service. He hosted a radio program on public affairs for a number of years. Winning election in 2002, Ellison became a member of the Minnesota House of Representatives. As a state representative, he served on several committees, including the Local Government and Metropolitan Affairs and supported legislation on education and legal issues.

Only four years later he moved into the national political arena, running for a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives in 2006 as the Democratic candidate. Based in part on support from his district's immigrant population, Ellison won the election. With this victory, Ellison became the first black Muslim elected to serve in the U.S. Congress.

His election was not without controversy, however. Some critics claimed that he held the same anti-Semitic views as Louis Farrakhan, the leader of the Nation of Islam, a religious, social, and political organization often known for its radical views. This allegation was based on an article he wrote during law school and his work as an organizer for the 1995 Million Man March, which was created by Farrakhan. Ellison has denied this claim.

Before his swearing-in ceremony, Ellison announced that he would use the Koran, the Muslim holy book, instead of the traditional Bible. He found himself in the middle of a religious firestorm, receiving criticism from conservative politicians and journalists as well as many other American citizens. Ellison did not let this latest controversy to disrupt his plans.

In his short time in office, Ellison has supported stem cell research and raising the minimum wage. He has also voiced his opposition to President George W. Bush's plan to increase the number of troops fighting the War in Iraq.

Ellison is married and has four children.

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