On November 7, 2006, Keith Ellison made history in the state of Minnesota by becoming the first African American elected to Congress from the state and the first Muslim elected in the nation to Congress. Representing the 5th congressional district, which encompasses the largest and perhaps the most troubled Black community in Minnesota, Ellison is a staunchly progressive Democrat. He has spoken out strongly against the War in the Iraq, advocates the immediate withdrawal of troops from that country, supports reproductive choice, universal health care, and economic justice.

And, his road to victory was filled with landmines. The assault on his character was vicious. The attack on his capacity to perform the duties of the office unremitting, While this election period has been characterized by mudslinging of the lowest order, the attacks on Rep. Keith Ellison by his Republican opponent Alan Fine and the Republican machine were embedded in a deeply rooted racism masked as critique. Representative Ellison’s tax troubles, driving record and entire life found their way into ugly, harshly articulated public statements and written materials. When it came to attacking Keith Ellison, nothing seemed to be off limits.

Nonetheless, the Republican strategy failed. After winning the party endorsement and winning the fall primary in the liberal Democrat enclave of the 5th district, Ellison won the November 7th election with 55% of the vote. And indeed, Keith Ellison may be the most progressive Democrat elected to office this season or in many. He is reminiscent of the progressive former Congressman Ron Dellums of California. He sees himself operating in the tradition of the late Senator Paul Wellstone of Minnesota. He is a powerful speaker, politically deft and has the energy to fight. It will be interesting to see how his commitment to an agenda of “inclusion” plays out in Washington. During the election, he made common cause with the “big boys” in the state, with icons such as Walter Mondale throwing support behind him. Given the troublesome liberal history of Minnesota with its murky history of racial openness in the context of racial inequality, it remains to be seen how sturdy Ellison will be over the long hall.

He certainly brings a different voice, a different history and a willingness to speak out and fight in this period of crises.

is published every Thursday.