Fields: Ellison Practices ‘Reverse Racism,’ ‘Racial Politics’

Republican 5th District Challenger Chris Fields is accusing Rep. Keith Ellison and the Congressional Black Caucus of practicing “reverse racism” and “racial politics.”

In a post on his website Thursday, Fields wrote:

I’m Chris Fields. As a black man raised by a poor single mother, I know what racism is all about. In all their forms, racism and racial politics are wrong. Period.

Sadly, Keith Ellison and his cronies in the Congressional Black Caucus practice reverse racism and racial politics all the time. As a candidate for Congress, I’m not afraid to confront the racial politics practiced by Ellison.

Fields’ post noted Ellison’s vote against the censure of fellow Congressional Black Caucus member Charlie Rangel. In 2010, the House voted 333-79 to censure Rangel after the House Ethics Committee found him guilty on 11 of 12 charges, ranging from unpaid property taxes to failure to report financial assets.

Rangel supporters said a lesser punishment was more appropriate.

He also pointed to the Congressional Black Caucus’ walkout during the 2012 vote to hold Attorney General Eric Holder, a black man, in contempt for not providing documents related to the botched Fast and Furious gun-trafficking sting.

Gun Control

With gun control a growing topic of conversation since the Aurora theater shooting, Ellison took to Facebook on Tuesday to share his thoughts on the matter:

It's time to ban the sale of assault weapons, high-capacity clips, and gun-show loopholes. Responsible private guns for hunting and home defense are okay, but we should not be allowing weapons of war onto our streets. Share if you agree.

On Wednesday, he added this on Twitter:

After Aurora, Tucson, Columbine, VT, etc. some ppl get agitated if you propose simple restrictions on high-capacity clips. Odd.

Ellison, noting that the Aurora shooter used a 100-round drum magazine, reminded followers that he’s a “proud supporter” of HR 308—a bill introduced Jan. 18, 2011, that would ban magazines capable of holding more than 10 rounds.

Fields had his own share request:

Can we get 25 "shares" for less government and more freedom?

Submit your questions for the candidates

Patch is asking you, the Patch user, to pose a question to Ellison and/or Fields. We’ll use select questions during upcoming interviews with both candidates. To share your questions, and write your question in the comments section.