Statement by NOW President Toni Van Pelt

U.S. Rep. Keith Ellison has won the Democratic primary for Minnesota Attorney General, following an ex-girlfriend’s claim of domestic violence that she called “narcissist abuse” from Ellison.

If the allegations are true, Keith Ellison has no right to serve as the state’s chief legal officer. And he had no right to run under false pretenses, as a man standing wrongly accused. Voters had only his word on that claim, and the investigation is ongoing.

In the meantime, Keith Ellison must withdraw from the race and not put Minnesotans through another cycle of political scandal. They’ve been through enough.

It’s very simple. We believe survivors.

Politics doesn’t matter. We believe survivors.

Keith Ellison says he wants to protect women from domestic violence and sexual assault. That starts by believing survivors.

Enough is enough. The time is NOW to stop this culture of oppression and silencing women.