Keith Ellison Bio 2026: Age, Net Worth, Wife & Career in 2026

Keith Ellison is a prominent American politician and lawyer. This Keith Ellison Bio covers his Age, Height, and Net Worth alongside his career. Born on August 4, 1963, the 63-year-old is known for being the first Muslim elected to the U.S. Congress. Operating out of Saint Paul, Minnesota, Ellison has built a career focused on civil rights. While his exact net worth remains Unknown due to privacy in public financial disclosures, his salary as a state official is public record. He currently focuses on major legal battles and is running for re-election in 2026.

Quick Facts

Full Name	Keith Maurice Ellison
Nick Name	Unknown
Profession	Politician, Lawyer
Birth Date	August 4, 1963
Age	63 years 1 month old
Birth Place	Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
Nationality	American
Known For	First Muslim U.S. Congressman, Minnesota Attorney General
Ethnicity	African American
Zodiac Sign	Leo
Height & Weight	Unknown
Hair Color	Black (Graying)
Eye Color	Brown
Qualification	Juris Doctor (University of Minnesota Law School)
Religion	Islam
Marital Status / Spouses	Divorced (Kim Ellison, 1987–2012)
Relationships	Karen Monahan (Ex-girlfriend)
Children	Two sons (Elijah, Jeremiah)
Family Tree	Leonard Ellison (Father), Clida Ellison (Mother)
Hobbies	Reading, Writing, Playing Bass Guitar
Current Work	Minnesota Attorney General
Years Active	1990s–Present
Net Worth 2026	Unknown

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Keith Ellison Bio: Age, Height, Net Worth & Early Life

Keith Maurice Ellison was born on August 4, 1963, in Detroit, Michigan . He grew up in a middle-class family with a strong emphasis on education and community service. His parents, Leonard and Clida Ellison, raised him in the Catholic faith. His grandfather was an active member of the NAACP, which deeply influenced Keith’s early interest in civil rights and social justice.

He attended Catholic high school in Detroit before moving to Minnesota to pursue higher education. Ellison enrolled at Wayne State University in Detroit for his undergraduate studies but later transferred to the University of Minnesota. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics. During his college years, he converted to Islam at the age of 19, a decision that would later shape his public identity and political career.

After completing his undergraduate degree, Ellison attended the University of Minnesota Law School. He graduated with a Juris Doctor degree in 1990. While in law school, he worked multiple jobs, including stints as a bartender and a bus driver, to pay for his tuition. His early experiences working-class jobs gave him a grounded perspective that he carries into his legal and political work today.

Career Journey

Early Beginnings

After law school, Keith Ellison began his career as a civil rights attorney in Minneapolis. He worked at a private law firm before becoming the director of the Legal Rights Center, a nonprofit law firm that provided free legal services to low-income residents. He focused on cases involving police misconduct, employment discrimination, and housing rights.

His legal work built a strong reputation in the local community. In 1998, he ran for the Minneapolis City Council and won. He served on the council until 2002, where he advocated for affordable housing and police reform. In 2002, he was elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives. During his time in the state legislature, he built a solid progressive record, focusing on consumer protection and workers’ rights.

Breakthrough

Ellison’s national breakthrough came in 2006 when he ran for the U.S. House of Representatives in Minnesota’s 5th congressional district. He won the election by a large margin, making history as the first Muslim elected to Congress. His swearing-in ceremony gained international attention because he used an English translation of the Quran that once belonged to Founding Father Thomas Jefferson .

During his 12 years in Congress, Ellison served on powerful committees, including the House Judiciary Committee and the Financial Services Committee. He became a leading voice for affordable housing, student loan reform, and consumer financial protection. His national profile grew, and in 2017, he was elected as the Deputy Chair of the Democratic National Committee (DNC), a position he held until 2018.

Recent Activity in 2026

In 2018, Ellison left Congress to run for Minnesota Attorney General. He won the race and assumed office in January 2019, becoming the first African American to hold the position . As the “People’s Lawyer,” he has focused heavily on corporate accountability and consumer protection.

As of 2026, Ellison is running for a third term as Attorney General against Republican candidate Ron Schutz in the general election scheduled for November 3, 2026 . His office has been incredibly active, tracking over 73 lawsuits against the federal government and large corporations . Recently, his office secured a landmark settlement that capped insulin prices at $35 for Minnesotans . He has also led multistate lawsuits against major automakers like Hyundai and Kia over vehicle safety issues .

Career Stats:

U.S. House Terms: 6 (2007–2019)
Minnesota Attorney General Terms: 2 (2019–Present), currently seeking 3rd
Books Published: 1 (“My Country, ‘Tis of Thee: My Faith, My Family, Our Future”)
Major Lawsuits Filed: 70+ against federal government and corporate entities
Congressional Committees: Judiciary, Financial Services

Personal Life

Marriage & Family

Keith Ellison married his high school sweetheart, Kim Ellison, in 1987 . Kim later became a prominent figure in local education, serving as a member of the Minneapolis School Board . The couple shared a long life together and raised two sons. However, they filed for legal separation in 2010, and their divorce was officially finalized on May 2, 2012 . Despite the end of their marriage, the two have maintained a respectful relationship to co-parent their children.

Children

Ellison is the father of two sons, Elijah and Jeremiah. He frequently speaks about his children as his greatest motivation for public service. His eldest son, Elijah Ellison, has followed in his father’s footsteps by engaging in local politics and community organizing in the Twin Cities area.

Dating History / Affairs

Following his divorce from Kim, Ellison began a relationship with Karen Monahan, a political consultant and activist. The relationship lasted for several years before ending in 2016. Their subsequent public dispute in 2018 became a significant media story during his first campaign for Attorney General.

Controversies

In 2018, just months before the Minnesota Attorney General election, Ellison faced public allegations of domestic abuse from his former girlfriend, Karen Monahan . Monahan accused Ellison of dragging her off a bed during an argument in 2016. Ellison strongly and consistently denied the accusations, stating that the incident never occurred.

A special prosecutor was appointed to review the claims and the available evidence, which included medical documents and a disputed video . After a thorough investigation, the prosecutor declined to file criminal charges, citing insufficient evidence to prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt. Despite the intense media coverage and the controversy, Ellison remained on the ballot and successfully won his first race for Minnesota Attorney General.

Awards & Achievements

2006: First Muslim elected to the United States Congress.
2017: Elected Deputy Chair of the Democratic National Committee (DNC).
2019: First African American to serve as Minnesota Attorney General.
2022: Successfully led multistate litigation against major opioid manufacturers.
2025: Secured landmark legal victories protecting federal food assistance (SNAP) programs .
2026: Secured a $35 insulin cap for Minnesota residents through settlements with major pharmaceutical companies .

Physical Statistics

Height: Unknown
Weight: Unknown
Hair Color: Black (with natural graying)
Eye Color: Brown
Build: Average

Quotes

“As the People’s Lawyer, my job is to help Minnesotans afford their lives.”
“We must build a country that works for all of us, not just the wealthy few.”
“Justice is not just a concept; it is something we must fight for every single day in the courts and in the streets.”

Favorites

Favorite Book: The Autobiography of Malcolm X
Favorite Music: Funk and Jazz
Favorite Historical Figure: Martin Luther King Jr.
Favorite Pastime: Playing the bass guitar
Favorite Local Spot: The Mississippi Riverfront in Minneapolis

Keith Ellison Net Worth, Salary & Earnings in 2026

Estimated net worth in 2026 is around Unknown. As an elected public servant, Keith Ellison’s income primarily comes from his government salary. The Minnesota Attorney General earns a state-mandated salary, which is approximately $150,000 to $160,000 per year. During his time in the U.S. House of Representatives, his annual congressional salary was $174,000.

Public financial disclosures from his congressional years showed a modest financial profile. Unlike many politicians who enter office as millionaires, Ellison’s disclosures often listed significant liabilities, such as student loans and a standard mortgage, alongside modest retirement accounts. He does not hold major corporate board seats or lucrative private business ventures. His earnings remain closely tied to his public service salary and royalties from his published memoir.

Interesting Facts

He was raised in the Catholic faith but converted to Islam at age 19 while in college.
He is an accomplished bass guitar player and frequently performs at local community events and charity functions.
When he was sworn into Congress in 2007, he used a Quran that once belonged to Founding Father Thomas Jefferson.
He authored a memoir titled My Country, ‘Tis of Thee: My Faith, My Family, Our Future, which details his journey from Detroit to Congress.
His office maintains a public “Litigation Tracker” that lists every active lawsuit his office is currently pursuing against corporations and the federal government .
He worked as a bus driver and a bartender to pay his way through law school.

Did You Know Already?

Did you know that Keith Ellison is an avid bass guitar player who uses music to connect with his constituents at local town halls and charity events?

Instagram: instagram.com/keithellison
Twitter/X: twitter.com/keithellison
Facebook: facebook.com/ellisoncampaign
Official Website: ag.state.mn.us
Campaign Site: keithellison.org

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Who is Keith Ellison?

Keith Ellison is an American politician and lawyer who currently serves as the Attorney General of Minnesota. He previously served six terms in the U.S. House of Representatives, making history as the first Muslim elected to Congress.

2. Is Keith Ellison married?

No, Keith Ellison is currently unmarried. He was married to his ex-wife, Kim Ellison, from 1987 until their divorce in 2012. They share two adult sons.

3. What is Keith Ellison’s religion?

Keith Ellison is a practicing Muslim. He was raised in the Catholic faith but converted to Islam when he was 19 years old while attending college.

4. Is Keith Ellison running for re-election in 2026?

Yes, Keith Ellison is running for a third term as Minnesota Attorney General in the 2026 general election. He won the Democratic primary in August 2026 and is facing Republican Ron Schutz in November .

5. How many terms has Keith Ellison served as Attorney General?

Keith Ellison is currently serving his second term as Minnesota Attorney General, having first taken office in January 2019. He is seeking his third term in the 2026 election.

Conclusion

Keith Ellison has built a remarkable career dedicated to public service, civil rights, and consumer protection. From his historic election to Congress to his current role as Minnesota’s top lawyer, he continues to fight for working families. As he campaigns for re-election in 2026, his legal battles against corporate fraud and federal overreach remain at the forefront of his agenda. If you found this biography informative, please share it with fellow political followers and fans of Minnesota history!