Minnesotans, as your candidate for Governor in 2026, I stand with you in demanding accountability from those who wield power in our state. Today, I call on every citizen—regardless of political affiliation—to openly question and hold Attorney General Keith Ellison accountable for his glaring hypocrisy and the mounting evidence that he is abusing his office for personal power, control, and to favor only those who align with his ideology. This has nothing to do with race, color, or creed—it’s about right and wrong. It’s about one man using the authority entrusted to him to put his thumb on specific people, shield his personal agendas, keep the public confused and unaware, and inflict real harm on law-abiding Minnesotans who simply seek fairness and justice.
Consider the Feeding Our Future scandal, where over $250 million in federal funds meant for hungry children were stolen in one of the largest COVID-era frauds in U.S. history. Leaked audio from December 2021 reveals Ellison meeting with individuals later convicted in this scheme, vowing to fight state agencies on their behalf and saying, “I’m in a battle with the state agencies… but we are in the middle of the battle with the agencies now.” Even more troubling, his campaign accepted thousands in donations from these very defendants, including some who were indicted, while his office claimed “deep involvement” in holding them accountable—yet state-level prosecutions lagged far behind federal efforts. This selective leniency protected ideologically aligned figures in his community, allowing fraud to flourish while Ellison turned a blind eye, confusing the public and harming vulnerable Minnesotans who needed those resources.
Contrast this with Ellison’s aggressive enforcement during the COVID-19 lockdowns, where he targeted small business owners who dared to question or defy Governor Walz’s orders. Take Lisa Hanson, a mother and grandmother who owned the Interchange Wine & Coffee Bistro in Albert Lea. For reopening her business to survive, she was sued by Ellison’s office, convicted on misdemeanor charges, and sentenced to 90 days in jail—serving 60—while missing family milestones and seeing her livelihood destroyed. Hanson called it “tyranny,” and her case exemplifies how Ellison used his position to crush critics, imposing harsh penalties on law-abiding citizens while massive fraud went unchecked under his watch.
This pattern of control extends to free speech and information. Ellison’s public celebration of Brazil’s nationwide ban on X (formerly Twitter)—posting “obrigado Brasil!” just days after the platform was shut down for refusing to censor political content—reveals a disturbing endorsement of suppression. This move drew backlash from free speech advocates and even Elon Musk, who accused Democrats like Ellison of wanting to “destroy the First Amendment.” Closer to home, the 2025 Social Media Transparency Act, which Ellison defends, is now under federal challenge in NetChoice v. Ellison for compelling platforms to disclose proprietary algorithms and moderation practices, creating what critics call a “speech-police regime” that could be used to target dissenting voices. Similarly, Minnesota’s deepfake election law—banning AI-generated content near elections—faces a lawsuit from X, arguing it’s overbroad and suppresses political satire and expression, with Ellison’s defense relying on questionable expert reports riddled with AI-generated errors. These actions keep Minnesotans confused about what information is “allowed,” harming our Constitutional Republic by favoring ideological allies over open discourse.
Ellison’s hypocrisy is clear: he preaches accountability and protection for the vulnerable, yet his record shows a thumb pressed firmly on scales of justice to advance personal agendas, shield fraudsters who donate to his cause, and silence critics who challenge his views. This harms us all—small business owners jailed for survival, families defrauded of aid, and citizens deprived of free speech. It’s time for Minnesotans to rise up, question loudly, and demand transparency. Write to your legislators, speak at town halls, and hold Ellison to the same standards he imposes on others.
To truly end this era of legal, ethical, and moral fraud, I appeal to principled leaders across Minnesota: Step up and run for Attorney General in 2026. We need an AG who enforces the law impartially, without favoritism or vendettas—who fights for all Minnesotans, not just those who align ideologically. Together, we can restore integrity to our state offices and ensure justice serves the people, not personal power. Join me in this fight for a better Minnesota.
Phillip C. Parrish
Candidate for Governor of Minnesota, 2026
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