Johnny Ellis

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.

Johnny Ellis
Ellis in 2013
Majority Leader of the Alaska Senate
In office
January 19, 2009  January 18, 2011
Preceded byGary Stevens
Succeeded byKevin Meyer
Member of the Alaska Senate
from the I district
In office
January 15, 2013  January 14, 2017
Preceded byRedistricted
Succeeded byTom Begich
Member of the Alaska Senate
from the L district
In office
January 20, 2003  January 15, 2013
Preceded byRandy Phillips
Succeeded byRedistricted
Member of the Alaska Senate
from the H district
In office
January 11, 1993  January 20, 2003
Preceded byPat Pourchot
Succeeded byScott Ogan
Member of the Alaska House of Representatives
from the 12B district
In office
January 19, 1987  January 11, 1993
Preceded byDonald Clocksin
Succeeded byConstituency abolished
Personal details
Born(1960-03-13)March 13, 1960
Springfield, Missouri, U.S.
DiedFebruary 9, 2022(2022-02-09) (aged 61)
Harrison, Arkansas, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
EducationClaremont McKenna College (BA)

Early life and education

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

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

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

  1. "Senator Ellis". 2008-09-01. Archived from the original on 2008-09-01. Retrieved 2021-03-26.
  2. "100 Years of Alaska's Legislature – Johnny Ellis". 100years.akleg.gov. Retrieved 2021-03-26.
  3. Wohlforth, Charles (17 November 2016). "Sen. Johnny Ellis sacrificed his private life for public service". Alaska Dispatch News. Retrieved 17 November 2016.
  4. Ruskin, Liz (10 February 2022). "Former state Sen. Johnny Ellis has died". Alaska Public Media. Retrieved 11 February 2022.
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