Democratic Rep. Keith Ellison of Minnesota has been accused of abuse by two different women, and during the Minnesota attorney general debate Friday, he not only denied both allegations, but also said he doesn’t know what more people could “cook up” regarding new claims.

The debate moderator explained that 40 percent of voters are factoring in the accusations against Ellison for when they hit the polls.

Ellison denied the first allegation, saying that at the time, the accuser was actually harassing him, not vice versa.

“I got an order for protection to have her not [harass me] anymore,” Ellison said. “The judge awarded that in 2006 when I was running for Congress.” (RELATED: Only 5 Percent Of Minnesota Democrats Believe Keith Ellison’s Accuser)

Ellison said the second woman to accuse him of abuse, his ex-girlfriend Karen Monahan, also fabricated her stories.

“They’re not true. I’ve said that they’re not true,” Ellison stated. “I’ve answered questions and gone on [CBS Minnesota’s] Esme Murphy and others to make these points clear.”

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The congressman said there is an ongoing investigation into the allegations that should wrap up soon. However, he has refused to meet with Monahan and the investigator to discuss the accusations. Ellison defended his refusal, saying he does not want to get back in touch with her because they broke up two years ago and he is “trying to pursue [his] life and move on.”

Ellison referred to the investigation as “independent,” and Doug Wardlow, his opponent in the Minnesota attorney general race, noted the investigation is not independent, but rather is being conducted “by [his] friends and fellow party members.”

Ellison also commented on the timing of the allegations, seemingly linking them to his political career. He said the first claim against him was when he was running for Congress, and the second claim was only two days before his primary election.

The moderator followed up, asking the congressman if he is confident that no one else will step forward with additional allegations of abuse.

“In this political environment, I don’t know what somebody might cook up,” Ellison said. “But I can tell you that there is absolutely nobody that I’m aware of … who’s threatening or suggesting or has ever made a prior accusation.”

The Daily Caller News Foundation reached out to Ellison and Monahan for comment, and neither has responded in time for publication.

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