Politics & Government

Golden Valley Patch's Complete Coverage of Nasty Ellison-Fields Debate

In Thursday's 5th District debate, Rep. Keith Ellison and GOP challenger Chris Fields got into contentious discussions which included name-calling, eventually leading to a necessary physical intervention.

On Oct. 18, in the Minneapolis studios of KFAI-FM (90.3 or 106.7), Rep. Keith Ellison and GOP challenger Chris Fields engaged in a 5th District debate that quickly turned ugly.

In the first half of the debate, Ellison accused Fields of lying about being on the U.S. House’s Foreign Affairs Commission in a previous KFAI interview. Ellison repeatedly talked over Fields and called him a liar.

Midway into the debate, Fields alluded to recent DFL research into Fields' 2006 divorce which quickly enraged Ellison. Ellison called Fields a "scumbag" and KFAI News Director Dale Connelly cut the audio feed and physically stepped between the arguing men.

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Hours after the debate ended, Ellison issued an apology. "In response to my opponent's false statement, I made an uncivil reference to him. I should not have done so," Ellison said in a statement. "I acted beneath my personal standard as a public official, and I apologize."

Fields did not apologize for any of his actions, but he did release a statement saying that Ellison "cannot deliver."

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“At a time when we need civility and leadership from Washington politicians Congressman Ellison has proved that he cannot deliver and as a result we all suffer," Fields said in a statement. "The Ellison campaign has been engaged in name-calling and various other political games designed to detract attention from Congressman Ellison’s record of failure."

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For a complete list of Golden Valley Patch articles about the debate, read on:

REPLAY: Rep. Keith Ellison's Name-Calling Gets Vulgar in Angry Debate

AUDIO: Hear the Low Points of Today's Fractious Ellison-Fields Debate

What Happened in KFAI Studio During Keith Ellison-Chris Fields Debate Fracas

Ellison: 'I Acted Beneath My Personal Standard'

Fields: 'Keith Ellison Proved He Cannot Deliver'


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