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Campaign 2004
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Keith Ellison
Keith Ellison
District:58B
Party: DFL
Residence: Minneapolis, MN
Web site: www.keithellison.org


Statement from the candidate:
I am running for re-election to continue my drive to expand and open up democracy for all, including working class and poor people, people of color, and other people, whose ability to fully participate in the body politic is limited by money, race, gender or politics. To this end, I have endeavored in my first term to bring as many people as possible into the political process by 1) reaching out directly to my constituents and others, 2) speaking up for inclusion and human rights, and 3) working on legislation to empower people. This work is not done, and this is why I am running again.

Biography:
My spouse, Kim, a teacher, and I have been raising our four kids in north Minneapolis since 1988. I am a trial lawyer, and I have been fighting for people's rights in the courts and streets of Minnesota since 1990 when I graduated from University of Minnesota Law school. I started my career at Lindquist & Vennum, moved on to lead the Legal Rights Center as executive director, and I am now in private practice. I have been a consistent and faithful community advocate since I made Minnesota my home. My priorities are jobs, education, environment and health care.

On the Issues:
Should increased taxes be considered as part of a solution to a projected budget deficit?

Yes
Should gambling be expanded in Minnesota to generate new revenue for the state?

No
Should state funds — directly or indirectly — be used to build new sports facilities for the Twins and Vikings?

Undecided
Do you support Gov Pawlenty's JOBZ zones program?

Undecided
Should K-12 spending in Minnesota be curtailed in order to balance a projected budget deficit?

No
Should a constitutional amendment be presented to voters that would ban same-sex marriage in Minnesota?

No
Should the state spend money for expanding mass transit options in Minnesota?

Yes
Should there be additional restrictions on abortion in Minnesota?

No
Should the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program, which seeks to protect wildlife habitat and wetlands by paying farmers for taking marginal lands out of agriculture production, be supported?

Yes
Should the state's subsidized health care program be trimmed in order to reduce a projected budget deficit?

No