U.S. Rep. Ellison running for AG, 8 DFLers file to run for his open seat

ST. PAUL, Minn. (KMSP) - U.S. Rep. Keith Ellison is not seeking re-election to Minnesota's Fifth Congressional District, but will instead run for state Attorney General. Eight Democrats have filed to run for his open congressional seat. 

Tuesday, six Democrats filed to run to replace current Attorney General Lori Swanson, who decided not to seek re-election after failing to secure the DFL endorsement at the state convention last weekend. 

Matt Pelikan is the DFL-endorsed candidate. He also filed to run on Tuesday, along with fellow Democrats Rep. Debra Hilstrom and former Attorney General Mike Hatch. 

Ellison withdrew his previous filing for Minnesota’s fifth congressional district and filed to run for attorney general on Tuesday afternoon. 

Ellison’s departure from Congress leaves his seat open. State Rep. Ilhan Omar, state Sen. Patricia Torres Ray, state Sen. Bobby Joe Champion, former DFL House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher, realtor Frank Drake, Somali-American DFL Caucus founder Jamal Abdulahi, Julie Sabo and Minneapolis School Board member and Ellison's former wife Kim Ellison have all filed to run in the August primary.