on top of that, the reality is that making ellison a senator would be handing the seat to the republicans.

this is the district that ellison represents:

it's minneapolis, basically - the urban core of the city.

this is how the state voted in the 2016 presidential election:

like the areas around minnesota, this is a state that is de-urbanizing in post-industrialization and being reclaimed by the agricultural midwest. like wisconsin, it is becoming less like illinois and more like iowa.

clinton very nearly lost this state.

and, running a black muslim nationalist with a history of right-wing extremism for statewide office is the way you lose it, maybe for good.

contrary to widespread reports, this state is highly vulnerable. it's not the place you play these games of identity politics in.

jagmeet singh must cut his beard.