Minn. Congressional Candidate Calls Opponent a 'Gutter Dweller”

Two congressional candidates in Minnesota spent a radio interview hurling insults at each other over their divorces instead of discussing issues.

Incumbent Democratic Congressman Keith Ellison let loose a string of invectives at Republican challenger Chris Fields after accusing him of hiring an investigator to gather information about his divorce, The Hill reported.

“You're a scumbag," Ellison said. "You are a lowlife scumbag. You are a lowlife scumbag. You are a gutter dweller."

Bits of divorce drama have seeped into the local media regarding Fields’ wife filing a restraining order against him in 2006, which, when brought up during the radio debate, caused Fields to accuse Ellison of not complying with child support payments to his ex-wife.

After several breaks by the radio station to allow the candidates to calm down, Ellison offered an apology for his language and response to Fields, and that they would look to avoid discussing each others' divorces in the interest of “civility.”

“The issue is, there is my divorce, and there is his divorce,” Fields said. “I don't want to talk about anyone's divorce, and I don't think he does either."