While touring the Middle East, meeting the King of Jordan and the Egyptian military junta, Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MN) lent his name to a letter calling for an investigation of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas' financial dealings. 

Authored by Rep. Louise Slaughter (D-NY), the letter accuses Thomas of earning around $700,000 from the conservative Heritage Foundation from 2003 to 2007, and says he may have benefited from rides on a private jet and yacht owned by real estate magnate Harlan Crowe. At the same time, the letter says, Thomas disclosed no outside income or conflicts of interest on his yearly financial disclosure forms. 

Ellison was one of 19 other lawmakers calling on the House Rules Committee—the committee that sets up rules for federal courts—to investigate Thomas.

Meanwhile, Ellison's campaign sent out a fundraising pitch to supporters making veiled attacks at challenger Lynne Torgerson:

It's that time of the year where campaigns send out emails filled with words like "donate" and "contribute," with suggestions to give $10, $25, or more.

As we all know, Keith would rather talk about how we can get Americans back to work, but in order to do so, we need resources to amplify his voice and put jobs at the forefront of the debate ... In announcing their candidacy, a familiar opponent attacked me as a "radical Islamist." These divisive attacks did not work in the past, and with your help, they won't work again.

Lastly, Ellison wished his Jewish constituents well for the High Holidays:

"Today I extend my warmest wishes to the Jewish community of Minnesota and around the world as they celebrate the Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah ... It is a time for families to pray for peace within their communities and around the world. Let us all rededicate ourselves to this universal cause. As the Shabbat prayer says, ‘Let love and justice flow like a mighty stream. Let peace fill the earth as the waters fill the sea. And let us say: Amen.’ L’Shana Tovah—Happy New Year."