Ellison Criticized Over Decision Not To Appeal MN Abortion Ruling

MINNEAPOLIS — Republicans and anti-abortion groups criticized Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison after he decided not to appeal a recent district court ruling that struck down most of the state's abortion restrictions.

Jim Schultz, the Republican-endorsed candidate running against Ellison this fall, called the decision a "dereliction of duty" that was "motivated by his far-left politics."

"These bi-partisan statutes are clearly constitutional and Minnesota deserves an Attorney General who will stand up to activist judges," Schultz added.

"We are deeply disappointed that the attorney general has decided to stop defending Minnesota's pro-life laws," the Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life group said. "Too many of our leaders, including Gov. Walz, favor this no-limits approach to abortion rather than supporting reasonable laws that most Minnesotans can agree with."

On July 11, a Ramsey County judge ruled that Minnesota's mandatory 24-hour waiting period before an abortion, and the two-parent notification requirement for girls under the age of 18 before an abortion, violated the state constitution.

Judge Thomas Gilligan — a Mark Dayton appointee — also lifted a state law that said only physicians can perform abortions.

On Thursday, Ellison said he made the decision to not appeal the ruling.

"After three years of litigation in which my office and I thoroughly, vigorously, and faithfully defended the constitutionality of several state laws that regulate abortion, and after long and careful consideration of the district court's ruling and consultation with each of my co-defendants, I have decided not to appeal in the case of Doe vs. Minnesota," Ellison said.