Klobuchar Avoids Taking Position On Allegations Against Ellison

Screenshot from NBC Meet The Press

WASHINGTON – Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) continues to dance around the allegations of domestic violence against attorney general candidate Keith Ellison, avoiding making any campaign commitments in an interview on Sunday.

During an interview on NBC’s Meet the Press, host Chuck Todd pressed Klobuchar on whether Ellison has adequately addressed the controversy in order to quell voters concerns. Klobuchar indicated she would be comfortable voting for Ellison, but said he is “still addressing” the issue with voters.

“He is still addressing this to the people of Minnesota,” Klobuchar said. “And I think it’s being reviewed and I know that he is moving forward.”

“And he got the votes in the primary,” she added.

Klobuchar also dodged questions about campaigning with Ellison, saying she is currently focused on the hearings for Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh.

“Right now, I’m focused on Judge Kavanaugh,” Klobuchar said. “He hasn’t asked me to campaign with him. That’s where we are right now.”

When host Chuck Todd pressed Klobuchar on her answer, she added she “will campaign with our ticket when the time comes.”

Last month, Ellison’s former partner Karen Monahan alleged Ellison physically and verbally abused her. The allegations caused another woman’s story of Ellison’s mistreatment and abuse from 2005 to resurface, with a 911 call log corroborating the story.

Democrats have avoided denouncing Ellison over the allegations, despite pressure from the Democratic ally National Organization For Women. Days after the allegations broke, the Democratic National Committee (DNC), in which Ellison is deputy chair, released a statement saying the allegations would be reviewed. However, weeks later, there has been no public update to the investigation.

Watch a clip of Klobuchar’s interview on Meet the Press below:

Christine Bauman