Cross-posted from
MN Campaign Report
*note for non-Minnesota Kossacks: If he wins, Keith Ellison will be Minnesota's first black Representative in Congress, and will be America's first Muslim Congressman.
In an Ellison campaign press release today, Ember Reichgott Junge and Paul Ostrow offered their endorsements to Ellison's bid for Congress. Junge and Ostrow opposed Ellison in the DFL primary in September. Although the language of the release is filtered as most press releases are, Junge said of Ellison "Rep. Ellison has a passion for these issues, and I look forward to working with him and other DFL candidates on the issues that concern all of us." Ostrow offered similar missives, saying "I support Keith because he is committed to an urban agenda critical to our neighborhoods - public safety, public education and a new energy policy for our nation."
Ostrow's comments put the press release in particularly strong relief. Although he came in a distant fourth in the DFL primary, he hit the airwaves in the weeks beforehand with messages which seemed to be geared toward the many allegations and attacks thrown at Keith Ellison by conservative forces across the Metro area.
Following the press release, Ellison campaign spokeswoman Bridget Cusick said "we've been amazed at the volume and strength of support for the positive campaign we've built. [Reichgott Junge] is a strong supporter and we're excited to have her onboard." Ms. Cusick also expressed positive sentiments at having Paul Ostrow's support, and declined comment on Ostrow's primary ads and the recent controversy surrounding Ms. Junge's campaign manager publicly supporting Independence Party candidate Tammy Lee. Meanwhile, Keith Ellison continues to forge ahead, meeting with CD5 voters and community leaders at a rapid pace on his way to the November 7th general election.