Relatively unknown Wardlow targets Ellison in attorney general race

Doug Wardlow has a chance to become the first Republican to hold the Minnesota attorney general's office in nearly 50 years. But despite his competitive position in the contest against DFL candidate Keith Ellison, Wardlow remains largely unknown to voters.

Results of a recent MPR News/Star Tribune Minnesota Poll showed seven in 10 didn't recognize his name.

Wardlow says he's working on it.

"I've traveled the state, every corner of the state and done about 400 campaign appearances so far. Name recognition is definitely growing," Wardlow said.

Following in the footsteps of his father Lynn Wardlow, Doug Wardlow ran for the Minnesota House in 2010. Voters in Eagan elected him, but he lost his bid for reelection two years later.

As attorney general, Wardlow says he would "stand up for the rule of law" and "make Minnesota fair and safe." He wants to take on health care costs, human trafficking and opioid abuse. Wardlow also wants to increase staffing in the criminal law division of the office.

"I'm an attorney that's always been passionate about standing up for the rights of my clients. What I'm going to do as attorney general is stand up for the legal rights of every single Minnesotan."

For now, Wardlow appears to be benefiting from questions surrounding his Ellison. The same poll that highlighted Wardlow's low name recognition put him within 5 percentage points of Ellison, who had a higher unfavorable rating among poll respondents than favorable.

The lingering allegation of domestic abuse that an ex-girlfriend made against Ellison is troubling, Wardlow said. Ellison has repeatedly denied the allegation, and a DFL-hired investigator was unable to substantiate it. Wardlow called the investigation a sham and is still using the issue to hammer Ellison.

"All of that is sufficient evidence for the public to conclude that Keith Ellison shouldn't be the state's top law enforcement official," Wardlow said. "I think that they are going to make that judgement and render that verdict against him in November."

For his part, Ellison is trying to paint Wardlow as the one who is extreme.

"I do think it is important for people to know what the choice is."

Ellison is highlighting Wardlow's legislative record, including support for a proposed constitutional amendment that would have weakened labor unions if it had passed.

Ellison also points to Wardlow's legal work for the Alliance Defending Freedom, a group that the Southern Poverty Law Center has labeled a hate group.

The group has fought against transgender restroom accommodations in schools and defended a Colorado baker's refusal on religious grounds to sell a wedding cake to a same-sex couple.

"My opponent is not your father's Republican," said Ellison. "He's not some middle-of the-road reasonable person. He is a highly ideological, right-wing conservative, and that's just the truth. I don't even think he would deny it."

Wardlow rejects attempts by Ellison and others to label him as a right-wing extremist. He insists that he's neither anti-LGBT nor anti-union. As for the Alliance Defending Freedom, Wardlow is proud of his work there.

"It's a great organization that fights for important constitutional rights. In my work there, I fought for free thought and free speech and free religion, First Amendment issues that really should not be controversial," Wardlow said.

There's another candidate in race. Noah Johnson, a Minneapolis lawyer, is running for attorney general under the Grassroots-Legalize Cannabis banner. In a social media post last week, Johnson accused Wardlow of making "outlandish" attacks against Ellison and "exploiting ignorance and fear."

Still, Johnson believes he can benefit from concerns voters may have about Wardlow and Ellison.

"I think people are very eager for an alternative to that, and I'm trying to offer the best alternative I can," Johnson said.