Vermont senator and former democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders appeared at a handful of events across Minnesota on behalf of Attorney General Keith Ellison this week, culminating with a rally at Northrop Auditorium on the campus of University of Minnesota Friday afternoon.
Sanders headlined a platform of democratic elected officials, including Rep. Ilhan Omar and her colleague on Capitol Hill, Rep. Pramila Jayapal of Washington. Each speaker delivered remarks in lockstep with each other about the importance of voting in this election to preserve abortion rights, pay equity, and the fight against climate change. They found a sympathetic and energized crowd made up mostly of college students.
“What Keith understands, and what you understand and I understand is that we’re living in an unprecedently difficult moment,” said Sanders during his 20-minute speech. “I wish I could tell you otherwise.”
He talked at length about economic disparities and the need for a better-educated workforce that should not have tremendous student debt or the fear of such debt that keeps people out of college and trade schools in the first place.
“This midterm election is the most important midterm election in the modern history of this country,” Sanders said.
Ellison, for his part, echoed many of the same sentiments, and directly took on the calls from his challenger, Republican Jim Schultz, that Ellison is “too extreme” and doesn’t do enough about crime.
“He’s literally promising to stop crime in Minnesota when he does not, as attorney general, have the legal authority to do so,” said Ellison.
Ellison and Omar encouraged those in attendance to rally as many people as they could to get out and vote on November 8.
“What is on the line is whether or not these United States—starting in Minnesota—will remain a democratic and multiracial society that respects everyone’s rights,” said Ellison.
Sanders also appeared with Ellison on Thursday night in Duluth and on Friday morning in Rochester.
