Congressman Keith Ellison has stayed mostly below the radar this election season, in contrast to two years ago when he was elected as the first Muslim in Congress.

Ellison seems to be coasting to re-election against Republican Barbara Davis White in the very DFL-heavy 5th District.

So Ellison's new radio ads, to begin running this week, don't go after his opponent but instead rail against what he calls "corporate management groups" that have been advertising heavily against the Employee Free Choice Act.

"Plain and simple, these [ads] are lies paid for by CEOs who negotiate lavish salaries for themselves – but don't want you to be able to bargain for a better life for yourself and your family … [they] want to continue lining their pockets while they keep picking yours,"  Ellison said in announcing his own ad.

Ellison said the Employee Free Choice Act "would require employers to recognize a union chosen by workers through a majority sign¬up process, if that is the means for recognition that the workers choose. Employees are still completely free to choose the secret ballot process. EFCA also mandates binding arbitration for a first contract, if the union and the employer are unable to reach an agreement."

He'll roll out the ads with a 2 p.m. press conference today in Room 215 of the Minneapolis United Labor Center, 312 Central Ave SE.