[Minneapolis, MN] Fifth District Congressional candidate Chris Fields has invited Keith Ellison to have an open and honest discussion regarding religious freedom in America. In his video invitation to Ellison, Fields stated, “While we don’t agree on much, we must agree on this principle; everyone in America should be allowed to express their religious beliefs.” The video was sent via Twitter and featured Fields eating a Chik-Fil-A sandwich.
Religious freedom has become a hot button issue after Chick-Fil-A’s owner, Dan Cathy, voiced his support for traditional marriage. Fields released a YouTube video inviting Ellison to call his office so that the two candidates may set a time to meet with the people of the Fifth Congressional District at a local Chik Fil A, and discuss religious freedom in America.
Ellison has often declared that he is an advocate of religious freedom in this country however few Christians believe this claim. In a recent Washington Post opinion editorial, Ellison stated that, “Religious freedom is the bedrock of our American value.” Ellison also noted that he was, “glad a diverse group of leaders from across America, including Republicans and Democrats, put their own credibility on the line to defend every American’s right to practice their faith freely.” Fields openly questioned to supporters whether Ellison would put his own credibility on the line to defend the Chik-Fil-A CEO. “We will see if he takes our challenge. His does not have a strong record of standing for anyone but himself.”
It will be interesting to see if and when the discussion takes place. Ellison has not yet to respond to Fields’ invitation.
ABOUT: Chris Fields is the alternative to Keith Ellison in Minnesota’s Fifth Congressional District. Chris is a retired combat veteran who honorably served his country for more than 21 years in the United States Marine Corps. His message of reform, responsibility, and accountability is encouraging people from diverse backgrounds and political persuasions to Come Together to support a leader that will make real and tangible changes to a broken political system.
August 2, 2012 – Minneapolis, MN - Congressional candidate Chris Fields has met a campaign fundraising milestone raising well over $100k for the cycle. The fundraising success is largely due to small donors. Fields stated, “We are on pace to outperform any Republican challenger to Ellison. It is a clear sign that we are proposing solutions to problems that the people in the Fifth Congressional District deal with everyday. It is also a clear sign that Ellison fatigue has set in and that people are looking for a credible alternative.”
Fields is reporting he raised $31,846 on his Pre-Primary report that covers 1 July through 25 July. The support for Fields is present at all levels. The source of donations comes from people on both sides of the aisle. In response to the fundraising milestone Fields stated “I am grateful for the outpouring of support. I respect the message. I believe that message is that people are ready to move forward and they see that this campaign gives them the best chance.”
ABOUT: Chris Fields is the alternative to Keith Ellison in Minnesota’s Fifth Congressional District. Chris is a retired combat veteran who honorably served his country for more than 21 years in the United States Marine Corps. His message of reform, responsibility, and accountability is encouraging people from diverse backgrounds and political persuasions to Come Together to support a leader that will make real and tangible changes to a broken political system.
ELLISON CAMPAIGN TREASURER JUSTIFIES ELLISON’S LACK OF FOCUS AND DEFENDS HIS DECEPTIVE FUNDRASING TACTICS
June 15, 2012 – Minneapolis, MN – Yesterday, Carla Kjellberg, the Treasurer for Keith Ellison’s campaign and PAC, took to the comments section of the Fridley Patch to defend Ellison’s lack of focus and deceptive fundraising tactics.
Kjellberg stated that Ellison’s district elected him to be a “progressive spokesman” and “insure a Democratic Majority.”
“This sounds like excuse number 1,327 for why Keith can’t focus on the problems we face here in the Fifth Congressional District”, stated Chris Fields, candidate for Congress in Minnesota’s Fifth Congressional District, and Ellison’s opponent.
“A couple of weeks ago it was ‘I focus on foreign issues because I’m on the Foreign Affairs Committee’, a claim that proved to be false. Today it’s he’s a ‘progressive Public figure’ so he has to ensure America adopts his progressive vision.”
“I’m pretty sure the people of the Fifth Congressional District thought they were electing a congressman who would represent them in Washington, not a spokesman,” Fields continued. “If Keith Ellison wants to be a spokesman or a public figure or whatever, that’s fine, but he should go get a job as a lobbyist or a get a show on MSNBC or something. The people of the Fifth District deserve an elected official who is focused on them. And that’s what I am seeking to give them.”
Kjellberg also specifically defended Ellison’s practice of funneling his campaign money to other candidates. Since 2006 Ellison has contributed over $400,000 from his campaign war chest to other campaigns and political committees. He has made thousands of dollars in contributions to the campaigns of established incumbents like Barney Frank and Charlie Rangel.
“I would be shocked to see a campaign fundraising letter from Keith Ellison saying ‘I don’t need your money but send it to me anyway so that I can give it to my buddies in other districts,’” Fields said.
“Look, I feel that people should be free to support any candidate they want to,” Fields stated. “What I object to is people giving money to Keith Ellison, then Ellison turning around and giving that money to Barney Frank or Charlie Rangel. If people want to give money to Barney Frank or Charlie Rangel, they should. But I don’t see how the shell game that Ellison is playing is anything more than legal money laundering.”
“Sure it may be legal, and I’m sure Keith’s staff will be quick to point out that ‘other people do it too’. They will say anything to keep the gravy train running,” Fields concluded.
See the original Patch blog post, and the entire quote by Carla Kjellberg here:
http://fridley.patch.com/blog_posts/inside-the-million-dollar-keith-ellison-money-machine
ABOUT: Chris Fields is the alternative to Keith Ellison in Minnesota’s Fifth Congressional District. Chris is a retired combat veteran who honorably served his country for more than 21 years in the United States Marine Corps. His message of reform, responsibility, and accountability is encouraging people from diverse backgrounds and political persuasions to Come Together to support a leader that will make real and tangible changes to a broken political system.
