Minneapolis, MN - Lawmaker 1st Muslim in Congress

Minneapolis, MN - Keith Ellison has become the first Muslim elected to Congress, and the first nonwhite elected to Congress from Minnesota.
On the campaign trail, Ellison, 43, talked little about his religious background, focusing instead on his call for an immediate U.S. withdrawal from Iraq and his support for single-payer health care. He said his campaign united labor, minority communities and peace activists."We were able to bring in Muslims, Christians, Jews, Buddhists,"he said."We brought in everybody."

The seat was thrown open when longtime Rep. Martin Sabo said he would retire after 28 years. Ellison beat Republican Alan Fine and the Independence Party's Tammy Lee.