'Listen to the People': Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison talks about what politicians need to do.

• Author: Stockwell, Norman
• Position: Interview

In November 2018, Keith Ellison was elected attorney general for the state of Minnesota, becoming the first African American elected to statewide office in that state, and the first Muslim person elected to statewide office anywhere in the United States.

Previously, beginning in 2007, he served in the U.S. House of Representatives. He also served as deputy chair of the Democratic National Committee and co-chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus. He holds a bachelor's degree in economics from Wayne State University and a law degree from the University of Minnesota Law School.

In early June, as Minnesota's attorney general, Ellison took over the case of the murder of George Floyd. At that time, charges had been brought against only one officer, Derek Chauvin. Ellison increased the charges against Chauvin and also charged the other three police officers involved in the murder of Floyd, where Chauvin kneeled on Floyd's neck until he killed him.

Ellison, who spoke to The Progressive by phone in mid-July, says the cases are heading to trial next March but otherwise could not comment on the case, citing a court gag order. But he spoke freely about his career, concerns over climate change, defunding the police, and what candidate Joe Biden needs to do to win the November 3 election.

Q: Thanks so much for taking the time to speak with us.

Keith Ellison: Well, if I may say, I read your publication, and admire y'all tremendously.

Q: Thanks, I appreciate that. Let me start with national politics. You left your seat in Congress, a safe seat, I think, to run for attorney general of Minnesota. What made you make that transition?

Ellison: Well, I like to do good for people, and I thought I could do more good here than there. I mean, look, Congress is a wonderful job. I was proud to be there, honored to be in that position.

But you can't really do anything unless you get about 218 people in the House to go along with you, and then the Senate, and then the President. It's just a Herculean task to try to respond to the needs of the people.

I mean, look, Americans believe we need health care for all. Do we have it? No. Americans think we need sensible gun laws. Do we have them? No. Americans think we need to take climate action. Do we have that? Not really. But there are laws on the books that, if enforced, could help Americans and Minnesotans. So that's why I ran for attorney general.

Q: What does Joe Biden need to do if he wants to win the 2020 presidential election?

Ellison: He needs to focus on issue-based campaigning and reaching out to every single...