(VIDEO) Ellison Challenger Introduces Graphic Anti-Abortion Ad

(WARNING: The video above contains graphic images.)

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Fifth District DFL challenger Gary Boisclair is back with another graphic ad—this time targeting Rep. Keith Ellison’s (D-MN) views on abortion.

Boisclair is running in the DFL primary . Some accuse him of launching the primary to exploit a loophole that allows the airing of graphic anti-abortion ads. Boisclair, himself,

Ironically, the ad begins with Boisclair saying, “This is beautiful, beautiful beyond words,” as photos of mothers and babies flash onto the screen. The ad then segues to photos of aborted babies.

“This is ugly, ugly beyond description,” he says. “Who would do this? Who would kill an unborn baby? Congressman Keith Ellison for one.”

Boisclair attacks Ellison’s support for what the challenger calls “the criminal syndicate Planned Parenthood”—promising he’d fight to make abortion a crime if he were elected.

“Moreover, Mr. Ellison’s campaign coffers overflow with thousands of dollars from Planned Parenthood,” a news release quoted Boisclair. “For Mr. Ellison, it does not suffice to aid and abet the child-killers with his vote; he also receives their ‘blood money’ to guard his seat of power and continue federal funding for Planned Parenthood.”

Adding a Christmas twist, Boisclair asked whether Ellison is “a modern day King Herod.” The reference alludes to Matthew 2:16, a Bible verse in which Herod orders the death of all boys in Bethlehem younger than 2 in an attempt to kill the baby Jesus.

No other sources from the period reference such a massacre.

The attack brought a swift response from 2010 gubernatorial candidate and former speaker of the Minnesota House Margaret Anderson Kelliher. In a news release, she countered that Ellison “has consistently stood up for a woman’s right to choose as well as access to reproductive health care, earning a 100% pro-choice legislative score from Planned Parenthood in 2011.”

Boisclair's and featured images of murdered Christians.

Boisclair has said he has no delusions FCC-licensed broadcasters will air his ads anytime soon. He expects to see them appear during the 45-day period before the primary when rules require stations to carry candidate ads—however disturbing the imagery.