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Minn. puts 1st Muslim in Congress

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From Reuters

Minnesota voters elected a black Democrat as the first Muslim in Congress after a race in which he advocated quick U.S. withdrawal from Iraq and made little mention of his faith.

Keith Ellison, a 43-year-old lawyer and state representative, defeated two rivals to succeed retiring Democratic U.S. Rep. Martin Olav Sabo in a seat that has been held by Democrats since 1963.

Ellison, who converted to Islam as a 19-year-old college student in his native Detroit, won with the help of Muslims among a coalition of liberal, antiwar voters.

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