John Kevin "Jake" Ellzey Sr. (born January 24, 1970) is an American politician and former military officer serving as the U.S. representative for Texas's 6th congressional district. A member of the Republican Party, he previously served as a member of the Texas House of Representatives for the 10th district from January to July 2021.[1] He served in the United States Navy as a fighter pilot, completing tours in Afghanistan and Iraq.[2][3]
Early life and education
Ellzey was born in Amarillo, Texas, and raised in Perryton.[4] He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in political science from the United States Naval Academy in 1992.[5] Ellzey was deployed nine times in his 20 years in the Navy before becoming a commercial airline pilot.[6]
Career
Since retiring from the Navy, Ellzey has worked as a pilot for Southwest Airlines[7] and as a consultant. He was also a social aide in the White House Office during the Bush administration.[8] From 2012 to 2018, he was one of five commissioners of the Texas Veterans Commission.[9]
In 2018, Ellzey was an unsuccessful candidate for Texas's 6th congressional district. During his campaign, he was endorsed by The Dallas Morning News.[10] He placed second in the Republican primary, behind Ron Wright, who won the general election.
Ellzey was elected to the Texas House of Representatives in 2020. He took office on January 12, 2021.[1] He resigned in July 2021 to take his seat in Congress. Governor Greg Abbott set August 31, 2021, as the special election date for the Texas State House of Representatives District 10 seat that Ellzey vacated.[11][12] Republican Brian Harrison won the seat, defeating the representative who previously held the seat, John Wray.
U.S. House of Representatives
Elections
2021 special
On February 26, 2021, Ellzey announced his candidacy in Texas's 6th congressional district special election to replace Ron Wright, who died in office on February 7.[13][14][15][16] In the 23-candidate nonpartisan blanket primary, Ellzey finished second to Wright's widow Susan, who had been endorsed by former President Donald Trump, and 354 votes ahead of Democrat Jana Sanchez. On May 2, Sanchez conceded to Ellzey.[17] Governor Greg Abbott set July 27 as the special election runoff date.[18] Ellzey defeated Wright in the runoff, 53% to 47%.[19] He was sworn in on July 30, 2021.[7]
Committee assignments
Caucus memberships
Political positions
Ellzey voted to provide Israel with support following 2023 Hamas attack on Israel.[21][22]
Electoral history
2018
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Ron Wright | 20,659 | 45.1 | |
| Republican | Jake Ellzey | 9,956 | 21.7 | |
| Republican | Ken Cope | 3,527 | 7.7 | |
| Republican | Shannon Dubberly | 2,880 | 6.3 | |
| Republican | Mark Mitchell | 2,141 | 4.7 | |
| Republican | Troy Ratterree | 1,854 | 4.0 | |
| Republican | Kevin Harrison | 1,768 | 3.9 | |
| Republican | Deborah Gagliardi | 1,674 | 3.7 | |
| Republican | Thomas Dillingham | 543 | 1.2 | |
| Republican | Shawn Dandridge | 517 | 1.1 | |
| Republican | Mel Hassell | 266 | 0.6 | |
| Total votes | 45,785 | 100.0 | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Ron Wright | 12,747 | 52.2 | |
| Republican | Jake Ellzey | 11,686 | 47.8 | |
| Total votes | 24,433 | 100 | ||
2020
Election results:[24]
| District | Democratic | Republican | Libertarian | Total | Result | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| District 10 | - | - | 65,062 | 75.83% | 20,733 | 24.17% | 85,795 | 100.00% | Republican Hold |
2021
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Susan Wright | 15,052 | 19.21 | |
| Republican | Jake Ellzey | 10,851 | 13.85 | |
| Democratic | Jana Sanchez | 10,497 | 13.39 | |
| Republican | Brian Harrison | 8,476 | 10.81 | |
| Democratic | Shawn Lassiter | 6,964 | 8.89 | |
| Republican | John Anthony Castro | 4,321 | 5.51 | |
| Democratic | Tammy Allison Holloway | 4,238 | 5.41 | |
| Democratic | Lydia Bean | 2,920 | 3.73 | |
| Republican | Michael Wood | 2,503 | 3.19 | |
| Republican | Michael Ballantine | 2,224 | 2.84 | |
| Republican | Dan Rodimer | 2,086 | 2.66 | |
| Democratic | Daryl J. Eddings Sr. | 1,652 | 2.11 | |
| Republican | Mike Egan | 1,543 | 1.97 | |
| Democratic | Patrick Moses | 1,189 | 1.52 | |
| Democratic | Manuel R. Salazar III | 1,119 | 1.43 | |
| Republican | Sery Kim | 888 | 1.13 | |
| Republican | Travis Rodermund | 460 | 0.59 | |
| Independent | Adrian Mizher | 351 | 0.45 | |
| Democratic | Brian K. Stephenson | 271 | 0.35 | |
| Libertarian | Phil Gray | 265 | 0.34 | |
| Democratic | Matthew Hinterlong | 252 | 0.32 | |
| Republican | Jennifer Garcia Sharon | 150 | 0.19 | |
| Democratic | Chris Suprun | 102 | 0.13 | |
| Total votes | 78,374 | 100 | ||
2021 (runoff)
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Jake Ellzey | 20,837 | 53.27 | |
| Republican | Susan Wright | 18,279 | 46.73 | |
| Total votes | 39,116 | 100.00 | ||
| Republican hold | ||||
2022
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Jake Ellzey (incumbent) | 149,321 | 100.00 | |
| Total votes | 149,321 | 100.00 | ||
| Republican hold | ||||
Personal life
Ellzey and his wife Shelby have two children. They live near Midlothian, Texas.[7]
References
- ^ a b "Five New Texas House Candidates Who Won't Be Waiting on Election Results". The Texan. November 3, 2020. Retrieved January 22, 2021.
- ^ "Jake Ellzey". Ballotpedia. Retrieved January 22, 2021.
- ^ Spinks, Bill (March 3, 2020). "Ellzey wins Texas House District 10 primary". Waxahachie Daily Light. Archived from the original on January 28, 2021. Retrieved January 22, 2021.
- ^ "Republicans vy for District 10 Texas House seat". CedarCreekLake.com. Retrieved February 8, 2021.
- ^ "Rep. Jake Ellzey - Texas State Directory Online". www.txdirectory.com. Retrieved February 8, 2021.
- ^ Peterson, Kristina (July 28, 2021). "Jake Ellzey Wins Texas Special Election, Upsetting Trump-Endorsed Candidate". The Wall Street Journal. New York, New York. Retrieved July 28, 2021.
- ^ a b c Gillman, Todd J. (July 30, 2021). "Jake Ellzey, fence mended with Trump, is sworn in by Pelosi as Texas' newest congressman". The Dallas Morning News. Archived from the original on July 30, 2021. Retrieved July 31, 2021.
- ^ Spinks, Bill. "Forum set for Texas House candidates". Brownwood Bulletin. Retrieved February 8, 2021.
- ^ "Rep. Jake Ellzey Sworn In as State Representative for House District 10". www.house.texas.gov. Retrieved February 8, 2021.
- ^ "We recommend Jake Ellzey in the GOP primary for 6th Congressional District". Dallas News. February 8, 2018. Retrieved February 8, 2021.
- ^ Gromer, Jeffers. Gov. Greg Abbott sets Aug. 31 special election to replace U.S. Rep. Jake Ellzey in Texas House, Dallas Morning News, August 6, 2021.
- ^ Svitek, Patrick. Special election to fill former state Rep. Jake Ellzey's North Texas seat set for Aug. 31, Texas Tribune, August 6, 2021.
- ^ "Freshman state Rep. Jake Ellzey joins crowded race to replace Republican Ron Wright in Congress". Dallas News. February 26, 2021. Retrieved April 8, 2021.
- ^ "Recount laws in Texas". Ballotpedia. Retrieved May 2, 2021.
- ^ "Texas 6th Congressional District Special Election Results and more -". Decision Desk HQ. May 1, 2021. Retrieved May 2, 2021.
- ^ Ethan Cohen, Adam Levy and Clare Foran (May 2, 2021). "Susan Wright advances to runoff in Texas' 6th District special election with tight race for second spot". CNN. Retrieved May 2, 2021.
- ^ Weigel, David; Wang, Amy (May 2, 2021). "Texas Democrats concede lockout in House special election". The Washington Post. Retrieved May 2, 2021.
- ^ Svitek, Patrick (May 12, 2021). "Gov. Greg Abbott sets July 27 as date of special election runoff to succeed late U.S. Rep. Ron Wright". Texas Tribune.
- ^ a b "Texas Election Results". Retrieved July 27, 2021.
- ^ "Candidates". RMSP PAC. Retrieved December 26, 2022.
- ^ Demirjian, Karoun (October 25, 2023). "House Declares Solidarity With Israel in First Legislation Under New Speaker". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
- ^ Washington, U. S. Capitol Room H154; p:225-7000, DC 20515-6601 (October 25, 2023). "Roll Call 528 Roll Call 528, Bill Number: H. Res. 771, 118th Congress, 1st Session". Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ "2018 Primary Election Official Results". Texas Secretary of State. Archived from the original on March 7, 2018. Retrieved March 8, 2018.
- ^ "Texas 2020 election". The Texas Tribune. November 3, 2020. Retrieved February 13, 2021.
- ^ "Texas' 6th Congressional District's election results". www.texastribune.org. Texas Tribune. May 2021. Retrieved May 2, 2021.
