Johnny Ellis
Johnny Ellis | |
---|---|
![]() Ellis in 2013 | |
Majority Leader of the Alaska Senate | |
In office January 19, 2009 – January 18, 2011 | |
Preceded by | Gary Stevens |
Succeeded by | Kevin Meyer |
Member of the Alaska Senate from the I district | |
In office January 15, 2013 – January 14, 2017 | |
Preceded by | Redistricted |
Succeeded by | Tom Begich |
Member of the Alaska Senate from the L district | |
In office January 20, 2003 – January 15, 2013 | |
Preceded by | Randy Phillips |
Succeeded by | Redistricted |
Member of the Alaska Senate from the H district | |
In office January 11, 1993 – January 20, 2003 | |
Preceded by | Pat Pourchot |
Succeeded by | Scott Ogan |
Member of the Alaska House of Representatives from the 12B district | |
In office January 19, 1987 – January 11, 1993 | |
Preceded by | Donald Clocksin |
Succeeded by | Constituency abolished |
Personal details | |
Born | Springfield, Missouri, U.S. | March 13, 1960
Died | February 9, 2022 Harrison, Arkansas, U.S. | (aged 61)
Political party | Democratic |
Education | Claremont McKenna College (BA) |
Johnny Ellis (March 13, 1960 – February 9, 2022) was an American politician who served as a member of the Alaska Senate from 1992 to 2017. He was previously a member of the Alaska House of Representatives from 1986 through 1992.
Early life and education
[edit]Ellis was born in Springfield, Missouri, and moved to Anchorage, Alaska, in 1975.[1] Ellis was an Eagle Scout. After graduating from Bartlett High School (Anchorage, Alaska) in 1978, he attended the University of Alaska Anchorage for one year before earning a Bachelor of Arts degree from Claremont McKenna College in 1982.
Career
[edit]Ellis served as a member of the Alaska House of Representatives from 1987 to 1993. He was then elected to the Alaska Senate, representing the H district from 1993 to 2003. Ellis represented the L district from 2003 to 2013 and the I district from 2013 to 2017. From 2009 to 2011, Ellis served as majority leader of the Senate. Outside of politics, Ellis was a commissioner of the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education and operated several small businesses.[2]
Personal life and death
[edit]In 2016, Ellis spoke publicly about his health issues, including battles with prostate cancer, and multiple sclerosis. He also came out as gay.[3]
Ellis died on February 9, 2022, at the age of 61.[4]
References
[edit]- ^ "Senator Ellis". 2008-09-01. Archived from the original on 2008-09-01. Retrieved 2021-03-26.
- ^ "100 Years of Alaska's Legislature – Johnny Ellis". 100years.akleg.gov. Retrieved 2021-03-26.
- ^ Wohlforth, Charles (17 November 2016). "Sen. Johnny Ellis sacrificed his private life for public service". Alaska Dispatch News. Retrieved 17 November 2016.
- ^ Ruskin, Liz (10 February 2022). "Former state Sen. Johnny Ellis has died". Alaska Public Media. Retrieved 11 February 2022.
- 1960 births
- 2022 deaths
- 20th-century American politicians
- 21st-century American politicians
- Democratic Party Alaska state senators
- Businesspeople from Anchorage, Alaska
- American gay politicians
- LGBT people from Missouri
- LGBT state legislators in Alaska
- Democratic Party members of the Alaska House of Representatives
- Politicians from Anchorage, Alaska
- Politicians from Springfield, Missouri
- University of Alaska Anchorage alumni
- Claremont McKenna College alumni