Democratic-Farmer-Labor (DFL) Party Chairman Ken Martin admitted at a Wednesday press conference that he does “not believe” Rep. Keith Ellison’s (D-MN-05) accuser.
Ellison was accused of domestic abused by ex-girlfriend Karen Monahan just days before his August primary, but has repeatedly denied the accusations, and a DFL investigation into the matter found the claims against him “unsubstantiated.” The investigation, however, was conducted by the legal partner of the attorney who represents the DFL.
On Tuesday night, Monahan sat down with KSTP for her first in-person interview since coming forward, discussing “the smears, the lies, and the threats” made against her.
Just hours after the interview aired, Martin called a press conference to discuss Ellison’s Republican opponent, Doug Wardlow, but faced questions from reporters about the interview.
“I don’t believe her. I believe our investigation,” Martin said, but expressed support for Monahan in “bringing her allegations forward.”
DFL Chair @kenmartin73 on whether he believes Ellison’s accuser, Karen Monahan: “I don’t believe her. I believe our investigation.”
Says it’s important to take allegations seriously, which he says they did with investigation by outside attorney (from same firm as DFL’s lawyer)
— Kyle Potter (@kpottermn) October 24, 2018
As chairman of the DFL, Martin has instituted a “zero tolerance” policy for sexual harassment in the workplace, and mandated all DFL “elected officials, candidates, and activists” to complete a “comprehensive training” on the subject.
“As each one of these stories comes out, it becomes even clearer how pervasive sexual harassment is throughout our society,” Martin said in a press release shortly after Sen. Al Franken (D-MN) was accused of sexual harassment. “There is no excuse for his actions, whether they occurred before he was in the U.S. Senate or not.”
In a press release discussing the DFL’s “zero tolerance” policy, Martin suggested that “sexual harassment is a pervasive problem that needs to be addressed.”
“Unfortunately no workplace is immune, including political campaigns. The Minnesota DFL Party has a zero tolerance policy for sexual harassment and expects our candidates and campaigns to follow this policy,” he said.
After State Rep. Tony Cornish (R-Vernon Center) was accused of sexual harassment, Martin claimed that “elected officials must set an example by creating a culture of zero tolerance for sexual harassment.”
“One that empowers those who have been harassed, holds perpetrators accountable, and deters this type of inappropriate behavior in the first place,” he added.
During Minnesota’s Women’s March in Jan. 2017, Martin applauded those in attendance for not being “bullied into silence.”
“During this election, women were top among Trump’s targets for hateful and divisive rhetoric. He, along with many members of his party both locally and nationally, insulted, demonized, and threatened Americans,” Martin said. “The DFL is proud to stand with our party leaders, elected officials, marchers, and women in Minnesota and across the country as they march for the protection of their rights, safety, health, and families.”
According to a Monday MPR News and Star Tribune poll, Wardlow currently leads Ellison 43 percent to 36 percent.
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Anthony Gockowski is managing editor of The Minnesota Sun. Follow Anthony on Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].
