This past Sunday we taped the KSTP debate with Tom Hauser. During the debate Congressman Keith Ellison demonstrated he has no clue of what it means to be a veteran nor does he understand the key reasons why veterans sacrifice so much to serve our country.

According to Ellison and his campaign staff, wearing a military uniform for the United States is the equivalent of doing nothing for local communities. That line of thinking is just pure dumb and they continue to say it over and over again on social media sites like Twitter because they are clueless.

"It's incredible that somebody who has never done anything for the North Side can attack somebody who has dedicated their whole life to it," Congressman Keith Ellison recently stated in reference to me.

Not only do I disagree with that but I am certain that the families of our fallen servicemembers in Minnesota and throughout our country disagree with that.

I served for more than two decades as a United States Marine. I did so for a number of reasons. One of which was because I knew my service would set a positive example for many urban youth who grow up and have few opportunities.

Keith Ellison doesn’t value service like that. He believes that people, who wear our country’s uniform and serve as a positive role model, have no right to say they have made sacrifices for their communities.

Congressman Ellison's message to veterans: Thanks for Nothing! I fully recognize and accept that calling Ellison out on his dismal record of failure has made him feel desperate and bitter about having to defend his lack of focus.

Since he’s been in office he has not focused on this district, jobs, nor on closing the unemployment gap or the achievement gap that exists between blacks and whites.

Since retiring I have mobilized the 5th Congressional District GOP around the idea that when we work together we all benefit. I am ready to lead the effort to bring people together and bring about positive change.

Congressman Ellison has failed to deliver solutions in part because he is entrenched in the war on common sense and fails to recognize the value that good people like servicemembers bring to the table.

If I'm elected I will provide the focused attention and leadership needed to move us forward. We can do great things when we Come Together.

About Chris Fields

Chris Fields is the alternative to Keith Ellison in Minnesota’s Fifth Congressional District.  Chris is a retired combat veteran who honorably served his country for more than 21 years in the United States Marine Corps.  His message of reform, responsibility, and accountability is encouraging people from diverse backgrounds and political persuasions to Come Together to support a leader that will make real and tangible changes to a broken political system.