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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 since 2021. 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]

Key Information

Early life and education

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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

[edit]
Lieutenant Ellzey studies a map during a mission in 1997
Ellzey meeting with Rear Admiral Richard O'Hanlon in 2009

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

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Elections

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2021 special

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Main article: 2021 Texas's 6th congressional district special election

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]

2022

[edit]
Main article: 2022 United States House of Representatives elections in Texas § District 6

Ellzey defeated James Buford and Bill Payne in the Republican primary election, and was re-elected unopposed in the general election.[20]

2024

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Main article: 2024 United States House of Representatives elections in Texas § District 6

Ellzey received support from AIPAC and Pro-Israel America in his re-election campaign.[21][22] He defeated Democrat John Love III, a former member of the Midland city council, in the general election with 66.4% of the vote.[23]

Tenure

[edit]

At the start of the 118th Congress, Ellzey supported Rep. Kevin McCarthy in his bid for the House speakership, voting for him in all 15 rounds.[24] He later opposed the October 2023 vote to remove McCarthy as speaker, which ultimately succeeded 216–210.[25] In the succeeding election for the next speaker, Ellzey opposed the candidacy of Republican nominee Jim Jordan, choosing instead to vote for Mike Garcia. He would ultimately support the new nominee, Mike Johnson, in the fourth and final ballot.[26]

Ellzey was part of a bipartisan congressional delegation that visited Tel Aviv in June 2024, meeting with Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and defense minister Yoav Gallant.[27][28]

Committee assignments

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Caucus memberships

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Political positions

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Texas Central Railway

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Ellzey described the Texas Central Railway bullet train project as "all one big grift" and applauded the Trump administration’s decision to pull their 64 million dollar grant from the project.[32]

Israel

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Ellzey voted to provide Israel with support following 2023 Hamas attack on Israel.[33][34]

Veterans

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The PACT ACT which expanded Veterans Affairs benefits to veterans exposed to toxic chemicals during their military service, received a "nay" from Ellzey.[35]

Abortion

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In January 2025, Ellzey cosponsored fellow GOP House member Eric Burlison's bill recognizing personhood as starting at conception.[36]

Electoral history

[edit]

2018

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Republican primary results, 2018[37]
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
Republican primary runoff results, 2018
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Ron Wright 12,747 52.2
Republican Jake Ellzey 11,686 47.8
Total votes 24,433 100

2020

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Election results:[38]

District Democratic Republican Libertarian Total Result
District 10 - - 65,062 75.83% 20,733 24.17% 85,795 100.00% Republican Hold

2021

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Texas's 6th congressional district special election, 2021[39]
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)

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2021 Texas' 6th congressional district special election runoff[19]
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

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2022 Texas' 6th congressional district election
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Jake Ellzey (incumbent) 149,321 100.00
Total votes 149,321 100.00
Republican hold

2024

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2024 Texas's 6th congressional district election[40]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Jake Ellzey (incumbent) 188,119 65.7
Democratic John Love III 98,319 34.3
Total votes 286,438 100.0
Republican hold

Personal life

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Ellzey and his wife Shelby have two children. They live near Midlothian, Texas.[7]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Jake Ellzey

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
John Kevin "Jake" Ellzey Sr. (born January 24, 1970) is an American politician and retired U.S. Navy commander serving as the U.S. representative for Texas's 6th congressional district since 2021. A graduate of the United States Naval Academy, Ellzey completed 20 years of active duty service as a naval aviator, including nine deployments with five combat tours in Afghanistan and two in Iraq. Prior to Congress, he represented Texas House District 10 briefly in 2021 after winning election in 2020, following appointments to the Texas Veterans Commission and work as a commercial pilot and business executive. Ellzey secured his congressional seat through a special election in July 2021 to succeed Ron Wright, who died in office, defeating multiple Republican challengers in a May primary and runoff. He was reelected in 2022 and 2024 to represent the district, which spans , Navarro, Anderson, Hill, and counties along with parts of neighboring areas. In the , Ellzey serves on the Committee on Appropriations and the Committee on , focusing on , national defense, and veteran affairs reflective of his military background. His career emphasizes and strong military readiness, drawing from firsthand experience as of a squadron and air boss aboard the , where he logged 830 carrier landings.

Biography

Early life and education

John Kevin Ellzey Sr., known as Jake Ellzey, was born on January 24, 1970, in . He graduated from Perryton High School in , in 1988. Ellzey then attended the , from which he graduated in 1992.

Pre-Political Career

Military service

![Cmdr. Jake Ellzey, commanding officer of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 143][float-right] Jake Ellzey attended the from 1988 to 1992, graduating with a degree and commissioning as an ensign in the U.S. Navy. He completed naval flight training and qualified as a , flying the F/A-18E Super and accumulating over 4,000 flight hours in tactical aircraft during his 20-year career. Ellzey conducted nine deployments, including seven combat tours—five in and two in —while logging 830 carrier landings. In one early assignment, as a , he deployed aboard the USS Enterprise (CVN-65) in April 2001. He also served as a embedded with Navy SEAL teams, providing during operations. Promoted to , Ellzey served as of Squadron 143 (), the "Pukin' Dogs," an F/A-18E squadron based at , ; under his leadership in 2010, the squadron earned the Top Hook Award for superior arrested landings aboard USS Dwight D. Eisenhower. He later held the position of air boss (operations officer) on the USS (CVN-76) . Ellzey retired from the in 2012 at the rank of .

Private sector experience

Following his retirement from the U.S. Navy after 20 years of service as a , Ellzey worked as a contractor in . He subsequently pursued a career as a commercial airline pilot. Additionally, Ellzey owned and operated a , drawing on this experience to advocate for reduced regulatory burdens on entrepreneurs during his political career.

Texas Legislature

Elections to the Texas House

Ellzey first won election to the for District 10, a safely Republican seat encompassing parts of , Navarro, and other counties south of , in 2018. He challenged incumbent Republican John Wray, who had held the seat since 2015, in the Republican primary alongside Q.D. "Duke" Burge. No candidate secured a majority, advancing Ellzey and Wray to the runoff, which Ellzey won. In the general election, Ellzey defeated Democratic nominee Kimberly Emery. Ellzey sought re-election in 2020. He prevailed in the March 3 Republican primary against a challenger. With no Democratic opponent in the general , he faced only Libertarian Matt Savino on November 3, receiving 65,062 votes to Savino's 20,733 for a 75.8% to 24.2% margin. District 10's strong Republican lean, evidenced by consistent GOP dominance in prior cycles, contributed to these lopsided outcomes.

Legislative record in Texas

Ellzey represented House District 10 during the 86th (January 8, 2019–May 27, 2019; January 14, 2020–June 1, 2020) and the 87th (January 12, 2021–July 30, 2021, when he resigned to assume his U.S. seat). As a freshman Republican in the 86th session, his activities centered on committee work, though specific bills authored during that term are not prominently documented in legislative records. In the 87th session, he served on the committees on Energy Resources, Licensing and Administrative Procedures, and Local and Consent Calendars, and was appointed to the conference committee on SB 1831, which addressed administration and relief measures. Ellzey filed 19 house bills, 2 house joint resolutions, and numerous house resolutions during the 87th regular session, with several focusing on public safety enhancements, veteran support, transportation regulations, and local governance. Notable enacted included HB 2748 and HB 2749, both relating to commercial safety standards in certain counties, signed into law on May 24, 2021, and effective September 1, 2021, respectively. HB 3721, requiring the inclusion of prevention information on certain signs at truck stops and bus stations, was approved and effective September 1, 2021. Additionally, HB 4584 established the Sterrett Road Municipal Management District in Ellis County to fund infrastructure improvements, effective immediately upon signing on June 18, 2021. HJR 125, proposing a to extend limitations to surviving spouses of certain deceased individuals, was adopted by the and filed with the secretary of state on May 18, 2021, for voter consideration. Other authored bills emphasized tougher penalties for crimes, such as HB 2133 restricting sex offenders in child safety zones, HB 2746 increasing penalties for laser pointer misuse against or vehicles, HB 2747 elevating riot participation to a , and HB 3205 enhancing punishments for offenses committed while disguised in masks or military uniforms; these advanced to committee but did not pass before session end. Ellzey also prioritized veteran issues, including HB 3070 seeking exemptions for disabled veterans and HJR 124 proposing a related , both referred to Ways and Means without further action. His resolutions often honored local constituents, schools, and , such as HR 991 commending Ellis County's response efforts. On fiscal matters, he supported measures like compression and expansion under HB 5, aligning with Republican priorities for rural . Ellzey's voting record reflected conservative stances, including support for border security funding allocations of approximately $1.8 billion for barriers and operations in the state budget. He backed election integrity reforms amid debates over voting access and fraud prevention, consistent with GOP-led efforts in the 87th session. However, groups like Texas Right to Life critiqued his limited co-authorship on certain pro-life bills, resulting in a lower score on their metrics despite broader alignment on family protections. His brief tenure limited broader legislative impact, but efforts targeted district-specific needs in Ellis County, such as rail project oversight via HB 3310 and HB 3311 addressing high-speed rail land acquisition and statewide passenger systems.

U.S. House of Representatives

2021 special election

The special election for was triggered by the of incumbent Republican Ron Wright on February 7, 2021, from complications of COVID-19. Governor scheduled the election for May 1, 2021, with candidate filing deadlines set shortly thereafter. Under law for congressional special elections, all candidates from all parties appear on a single ballot, and if no candidate receives a majority, the top two advance to a runoff regardless of party affiliation. The May 1 primary ballot featured 23 candidates, including 11 Republicans, 2 Democrats, and others from minor parties or independents. Susan Wright, widow of the late congressman and a conservative activist, led with 50.1% of the vote but fell short of a , while state Representative Jake Ellzey placed second with 23.7%, advancing both to the July 27 runoff. Democratic candidate Tanya Luhby received about 4.5%, and no other Democrat advanced. was low, at approximately 7.9% of registered voters in the district, which spans parts of Tarrant, , Navarro, and other counties in . The runoff pitted two Republicans against each other in the solidly conservative district, where Donald Trump had won by 25 points in 2020. Susan Wright received endorsements from Trump, Ted Cruz, and other prominent conservatives, emphasizing her alignment with Wright's legacy and Trump-era policies. Ellzey, a Navy veteran and state lawmaker since 2018, campaigned on his legislative experience, fiscal conservatism, and support for Second Amendment rights, raising over $1.2 million compared to Wright's $1.8 million. On July 27, Ellzey won with 53.2% of the vote to Wright's 46.8%, a margin of about 6 percentage points, in a contest with turnout around 5.5%. Ellzey's victory marked the first defeat of a Trump-endorsed in a Republican contest since Trump left office, though Ellzey himself supported many Trump policies. He was sworn into the 117th on July 29, 2021, to serve the remainder of Wright's term ending January 3, 2023.

Subsequent elections

In the Republican primary for Texas's 6th congressional district on March 1, 2022, Ellzey secured 38,683 votes (71.2 percent), defeating challenger James Buford (8,636 votes, 15.9 percent) and (7,008 votes, 12.9 percent). In the general on November 8, 2022, Ellzey ran unopposed, receiving 149,321 votes (100 percent). Ellzey faced primary challenges again in 2024. On March 5, in the Republican primary, he received 38,143 votes (60.8 percent), ahead of James Buford (12,782 votes, 20.4 percent) and Clifford Wiley (11,843 votes, 18.9 percent). In the general on November 5, 2024, Ellzey defeated Democrat John Love III, garnering 188,119 votes (65.7 percent) to Love's 98,319 votes (34.3 percent).

Committee assignments

Upon election to the U.S. in 2021, Jake Ellzey was initially assigned to the House Committee on Small Business, where he has continued to serve in subsequent Congresses. In January 2023, for the 118th Congress, he was appointed to the House Committee on Appropriations, reflecting his background in defense and fiscal oversight priorities. This assignment positioned him to influence federal spending allocations, a role he emphasized as critical amid concerns over irresponsible fiscal policies. In the 119th Congress, Ellzey retained his seats on both the Appropriations and committees. On the Appropriations Committee, he serves as Vice Chair of the Subcommittee on Defense, leveraging his prior military experience in to oversee funding for programs; he additionally holds memberships on the Subcommittees on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies, and on Labor, and , Education, and Related Agencies. These roles enable scrutiny of expenditures in defense , environmental management, and domestic and education initiatives, with Ellzey advocating for efficient resource allocation amid rising federal deficits. No specific subcommittee assignments on the Committee are detailed in official rosters, indicating primary focus on the full committee's work supporting and regulatory relief for small enterprises.

Caucus memberships

Ellzey serves as co-chair of the bipartisan For Country Caucus, a group comprising military veteran members of the focused on nonpartisan collaboration to advance and ; he was elected to this role for the 119th Congress alongside Rep. Don Davis (D-NC) on January 28, 2025. He is a member of the (RSC), the largest conservative caucus in the , which promotes , fiscal responsibility, and traditional values through policy development and legislative advocacy. Ellzey co-founded and co-chairs the MACH 1 Caucus, a bipartisan coalition of former military pilots and lawmakers dedicated to advocating for U.S. aviation programs, and related defense priorities, including expedited and oversight of procurement. Additionally, he belongs to the Republican Main Street Caucus, which emphasizes , legislative effectiveness, and coalition-building on issues like and while rejecting .

Legislative activities and voting record

Ellzey has introduced or cosponsored emphasizing veterans' support, national security enhancements, and congressional reforms. In the 118th , he sponsored H.R. 6963, the Service Dog for Veterans Act, which directs the Department of to award grants to nonprofits providing service dogs for veterans suffering from or ; the bill was referred to committee without further action. He also introduced H.J.Res. 101 proposing a to limit members of to three House terms and two Senate terms, which advanced to the Judiciary Committee but stalled. Additionally, Ellzey cosponsored measures to reinstate penalties for unauthorized fees charged to veterans filing VA benefit claims under title 38, U.S. Code, aiming to protect claimants from exploitation. None of his sponsored bills have enacted into law as of October 2025, consistent with the low passage rate for individual member-initiated proposals in . His voting record reflects alignment with Republican priorities on defense and but occasional divergence on foreign . Ellzey supported the for Fiscal Year 2024 (H.R. 2670), which authorized $886 billion in defense spending and included provisions for procurement reforms, voting yea on final passage December 14, 2023. He voted for the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act (H.R. 8281) on July 10, 2024, requiring proof of for federal to prevent non-citizen voting. Ellzey backed the CBDC Anti-Surveillance State Act (H.R. 5403) on May 23, 2024, prohibiting the from issuing a without congressional approval, citing privacy concerns. However, he voted yea on the Ukraine Security Supplemental Appropriations Act (H.R. 8035) April 20, 2024, providing $60.1 billion in , diverging from conservative groups opposing additional foreign spending. According to Heritage Action's scorecard, Ellzey received a 57% rating in the 118th for adherence to limited-government principles, lower than the 89% in his partial 117th term service, with lifetime score at 73%; the score reflects support for measures like the ban (H.R. 7521, yea , 2024) but opposition to warrant requirements in reauthorization bills. In the 119th , he continued backing defense priorities, voting yea on the for Fiscal Year 2026 (H.R. 3838) on September 10, 2025, which streamlines procurement and funds key military programs. Ellzey also supported the and Development Appropriations Act for 2026 (H.R. 4553), funding nuclear and infrastructure, voting yea September 4, 2025. His record shows consistent yea votes on continuing resolutions to avert shutdowns, such as H.R. 5371 on September 18, 2025.

Political Positions

Fiscal and economic policy

Ellzey identifies as a pro-growth conservative, advocating for low taxes and reduced regulations to foster job creation and opportunity. He emphasizes free-market principles and as foundational to American prosperity, pledging to oppose socialist policies that he views as detrimental to . In his campaign, Ellzey has argued that fiscal restraint—avoiding expenditures exceeding revenues—is essential, drawing analogies to household budgeting. On taxation, Ellzey has supported measures to limit IRS authority and protect middle-class families and small businesses from perceived overreach, including sponsoring the Family and Small Business Taxpayer Protection Act in 2025. He joined colleagues in 2022 to oppose proposed tax increases targeting family farms and ranches, labeling them as harmful to agricultural producers. Regarding federal spending and deficits, Ellzey was appointed to the House Appropriations Committee in December 2022 and later to its Defense Subcommittee in 2024, positions influencing allocations amid efforts to curb outlays. He voted against a 2022 increase, citing needs for efficient spending and budget balancing, but supported the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023, which he described as achieving $2 trillion in spending restraint through caps and reforms. Ellzey has cosponsored legislation like H.R. 564 in 2023, rescinding unspent funds from prior relief acts to reduce the national debt.

Social conservatism

Ellzey has consistently identified as pro-life, stating in April 2021 that "as a father and Christian, I am 100% pro-life" and pledging to stand against attacks on the unborn and innocent life. In , he has voted to prohibit federal funding for abortions and related procedures, earning a perfect score from the organization for defending the lives of the unborn and infants. On Second Amendment rights, Ellzey opposes all federal gun regulations, describing himself as a proud gun owner and lifetime member who served abroad to protect American families. Ellzey voted against the (H.R. 8404) in July 2022, which codified federal recognition of same-sex and interracial marriages, aligning with the majority of House Republicans who opposed the measure. He has supported legislation combating environmental, social, and governance (ESG) and (DEI) frameworks in higher education, including the End Higher Education Act, which aims to strengthen religious freedom protections.

National security and foreign policy

Ellzey, a retired U.S. with over 20 years of service as a , has prioritized bolstering military readiness and technological superiority in policy. He advocates for sustained investment in to maintain America's edge over adversaries, viewing protection of citizens as the federal government's primary responsibility. Ellzey has consistently supported annual National Defense Authorization Acts, including voting in favor of the 2026 NDAA (H.R. 3838), which authorizes appropriations for military activities and emphasizes streamlining for effective defense execution. In , Ellzey has backed to key allies confronting . He voted yes on the Ukraine Security Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2024 (H.R. 8035), providing $60.1 billion in security assistance, and supported the Ukraine Democracy Defense Act of 2022, earning an "A" grade from Republicans for Ukraine for his pro-aid stance. Following Hamas's , 2023, attacks on , Ellzey issued a statement affirming U.S. support for Israel's self-defense against terrorism and voted in favor of the Israel Security Supplemental Appropriations Act (H.R. 8034). He has also endorsed expansion, voting yes on H. Res. 1130 to admit and , arguing it deters Russian and strengthens European alliances. Regarding , Ellzey has expressed concerns over theft and regional threats, cosponsoring the Countering Communist Act (H.R. 4792) to impose sanctions on entities tied to the Chinese government's IP infringements. After a 2021 congressional delegation to , he emphasized U.S. commitment to protecting from Chinese aggression, stating America would defend the island without seeking , while highlighting the economic devastation a Chinese seizure of Semiconductor Manufacturing Company () would cause. Ellzey has further supported cyber defenses against state actors, cosponsoring the Cyber Deterrence and Response Act of 2022 (H.R. 7302) for sanctions on cyber threat perpetrators. ![Lieutenant Jake Ellzey studies his map during a mass familiarization mission brief][float-right]

Infrastructure and energy

Ellzey voted against the (H.R. 3684) on November 5, 2021, joining most Republicans in opposition to the $1.2 trillion measure due to its scale of federal spending and borrowing. In May 2025, he introduced the Infrastructure Act, which would provide tax incentives to businesses offering apprenticeships in sectors such as , transportation, and utilities, aiming to address labor shortages amid growing demand for skilled workers. Ellzey advocates for restoring U.S. energy independence through expanded domestic production, particularly oil and natural gas, criticizing Biden administration policies for imposing regulatory barriers that hinder output. He has cosponsored legislation including H.R. 6947 to ban Russian oil and gas imports following the 2022 Ukraine invasion, H.R. 6858 to expedite Keystone XL pipeline approvals and federal land drilling permits, and H.R. 6772 to facilitate natural gas exports to allies by streamlining licensing. In April 2024, he highlighted federal bias against Gulf of Mexico oil and gas leasing during discussions with Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, and in December 2024, he called for increased domestic drilling to reduce reliance on foreign energy. Ellzey's positions emphasize reducing pipeline permitting requirements and prioritizing fossil fuel development on federal lands to achieve net exporter status akin to the Trump era.

Controversies and Criticisms

Intra-party challenges

In the Republican primary for the special election to fill the vacancy left by the death of U.S. Representative Ron Wright in Texas's 6th congressional district, state Representative Jake Ellzey advanced to a May 1, 2021, runoff against Susan Wright, the widow of the late congressman, after finishing second in the initial multi-candidate field. The contest highlighted divisions within the Texas GOP, with Ellzey positioned as a more establishment-oriented conservative drawing support from business leaders and local Republicans, while Wright received endorsements from former President Donald Trump and aligned national figures emphasizing loyalty to Trump's agenda. Trump's endorsement of intensified the intra-party scrutiny on Ellzey, portraying him as insufficiently aligned with the populist wing of the party, amid broader Republican debates over the influence of Trump's "" priorities versus traditional . Despite lacking Trump's backing, Ellzey secured victory in the July 27, 2021, runoff with 53.2% of the vote to Wright's 46.8%, marking the first electoral defeat for a Trump-endorsed candidate since the former president's departure from office. This outcome underscored Ellzey's ability to consolidate support from district voters prioritizing local representation and military experience over national MAGA branding, though it drew criticism from Trump allies questioning his commitment to party orthodoxy. Subsequent elections saw minimal intra-party opposition, with Ellzey facing no significant primary challengers in or , reflecting his consolidation of Republican support in following the special election win. Early indications of right-wing pushback in the 2021 primary, including attacks framing Ellzey as too moderate on issues like election integrity, did not materialize into sustained factional conflict, as his legislative record aligned closely with GOP priorities on border security and .

Opposition from progressive advocates

Progressive advocacy organizations have frequently opposed Representative Jake Ellzey's legislative record, particularly on reproductive rights, gun policy, and environmental protections. The Action Fund assigned Ellzey a 0% rating on positions related to , citing his consistent votes to restrict federal funding for providers and to advance pro-life measures, including co-sponsorship of bills to defund . Similarly, pro-life scorecards from groups like praise his record, underscoring the partisan divide that fuels progressive criticism of his efforts to limit taxpayer support for services. Ellzey's staunch defense of Second Amendment rights has elicited opposition from advocates. As a lifetime NRA member, he voted against the of 2022, which expanded background checks for younger buyers and funded red-flag laws following mass shootings in Uvalde and Buffalo. He also led efforts to prevent an ATF gun registry by introducing legislation in March 2022 to require destruction of certain firearm transaction records transferred to the agency. These actions align with conservative priorities but have been decried by groups focused on reducing , though direct campaign spending against him remains minimal in Texas's 6th District, a reliably Republican seat. Environmental groups, including the League of Conservation Voters (LCV), have scored Ellzey poorly—often 0% in recent sessions—for votes undermining climate initiatives and regulatory safeguards. Specific criticisms include his support for amendments to repeal the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, block funding for environmental justice programs, roll back clean water protections under the Clean Water Act, and expedite permitting for oil, gas, and data center projects at the expense of environmental reviews. LCV's scorecard reflects broader progressive concerns over his prioritization of energy production and deregulation, which they argue exacerbates climate change and environmental inequities, contrasting with his advocacy for Texas's fossil fuel interests. Progressive Punch, a voting database from a left-leaning perspective, similarly assigns Ellzey low lifetime scores on issues like civil liberties and environmental policy, reinforcing institutional opposition from advocacy networks.

Electoral History

Ellzey was elected to the Texas House of Representatives for District 10 in the November 6, 2018, general election, defeating Democratic nominee Sandra "Sandi" Treviño after winning the Republican primary. He was reelected without opposition in the 2020 general election following an unopposed Republican primary. Ellzey resigned from the Texas House upon his election to the U.S. House in 2021. Following the death of incumbent Republican Ron Wright, Ellzey advanced from a crowded Republican special primary election on May 1, 2021, for Texas's 6th congressional district, finishing second behind Susan Wright and forcing a runoff. In the July 27, 2021, special runoff election, Ellzey defeated .
CandidatePartyVotesPercentage
Jake EllzeyRepublican20,83753.3%
Susan Republican18,25446.7%
The runoff determined the winner, as no Democrat advanced from the concurrent special general election phase. Ellzey won reelection in the 2022 for the full term. He won a second full term in the November 5, 2024, , defeating Democrat John Love III.
CandidatePartyVotesPercentage
Jake EllzeyRepublican187,72765.7%
John Love IIIDemocratic97,91334.3%

Personal Life

Family and residence

Jake Ellzey resides in , the seat of Ellis County and a core community within , which he has represented since 2021. Ellzey is married to Shelby Ellzey. The couple has two children.

References

  1. https://bioguide.congress.gov/search/bio/E000071
  2. https://www.usna.edu/Notables/congress/1992ellzey.php
  3. https://lrl.texas.gov/legeLeaders/members/memberdisplay.cfm?memberID=5871
  4. https://ellzey.house.gov/about
  5. https://clerk.house.gov/members/E000071
  6. https://www.legistorm.com/person/bio/314425/John_Kevin_Ellzey_Sr_.html
  7. https://www.linkedin.com/in/jake-ellzey-0a253138
  8. https://combatveteransforcongress.org/candidate/congressman-jake-ellzey
  9. https://www.dvidshub.net/news/49300/pukin-dogs-earn-second-top-hook-award
  10. https://www.readyfortakeoffpodcast.com/podcastepisodes/rft-504-navy-airline-pilot-jake-ellzey
  11. https://www.iri.org/who-we-are/iri-experts/congressman-jake-ellzey/
  12. https://x.com/RepEllzey/status/1876697055675969832
  13. https://apps.texastribune.org/elections/2018/primary-election-results/
  14. https://elections.sos.state.tx.us/elchist331_state.htm
  15. https://www.phillyburbs.com/elections/results/race/2020-11-03-state_house-TX-45945/
  16. https://ballotpedia.org/Texas_House_of_Representatives_District_10
  17. https://capitol.texas.gov/Members/MemberInfo.aspx?Leg=87&Chamber=H&Code=A3970
  18. https://capitol.texas.gov/reports/report.aspx?LegSess=87R&ID=author&Code=A3970
  19. https://www.waxahachiesun.com/news/local/ellzey-highlights-successes-of-the-87th-legislative-session/article_97922fb4-e5a6-11eb-99ed-f73f91de4ebf.html
  20. https://thefreedomindex.org/tx/legislator/22430/
  21. https://texasrighttolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/2021_House_Scorecard_EllzeyJake.pdf
  22. https://www.keranews.org/politics/2021-07-26/texas-6th-congressional-district-to-be-decided-today-in-a-special-election-runoff
  23. https://gov.texas.gov/news/post/governor-abbott-sets-special-election-date-for-6th-congressional-district
  24. https://www.texastribune.org/2021/05/01/texas-6th-congressional-election-results/
  25. https://www.politico.com/election-results/2021/texas/special-election-may-1/
  26. https://www.texastribune.org/2021/07/27/susan-wright-jake-ellzey-texas-6-congressional-seat/
  27. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/jake-ellzey-texas-congress-runoff-6th-district-susan-wright/
  28. https://thetexan.news/elections/2021/rep-jake-ellzey-upsets-in-texas-6th-congressional-district-over-susan-wright/article_53b205bb-d3f5-50a3-a1ff-fc1297398ba5.html
  29. https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/politics/lone-star-politics/republicans-susan-wright-jake-ellzey-square-off-tuesday-in-runoff-for-dist-6-congressional-seat/2695208/
  30. https://www.politico.com/election-results/2021/texas/special-election-july-27/
  31. https://rollcall.com/2021/07/27/ellzey-defeats-trump-backed-wright-in-all-gop-texas-runoff/
  32. https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2022/11/08/us/elections/results-texas-us-house-district-6.html
  33. https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2024/11/05/us/elections/results-texas-us-house-6.html
  34. https://ellzey.house.gov/2023/1/congressman-jake-ellzey-appointed-to-house-appropriations-committee
  35. https://appropriations.house.gov/news/press-releases/cole-announces-republican-subcommittee-rosters-119th-congress
  36. http://appropriations.house.gov/subcommittees/defense-0/member-list
  37. https://ellzey.house.gov/2024/3/congressman-ellzey-appointed-to-defense-appropriations-subcommittee
  38. https://ellzey.house.gov/2025/1/congressman-jake-ellzey-and-congressman-don-davis-new-co-chairs-of-the-for-country-caucus-outlining-future-plans
  39. https://www.ciclt.net/sn/clt/gsba/po_detail.aspx?P_ID=&ClientCode=gsba&MemID=22126
  40. https://ellzey.house.gov/2022/12/mach-1-caucus-meets-with-israeli-air-force-pilots
  41. https://www.ciclt.net/sn/leg_app/po_detail.aspx?ClientCode=gsba&P_IDEO=txush06
  42. https://www.billtrack50.com/legislatordetail/25720
  43. https://www.congress.gov/member/jake-ellzey/E000071
  44. https://heritageaction.com/scorecard/votes/h345-2024
  45. https://heritageaction.com/scorecard/members/E000071/118
  46. https://www.fp4america.org/scorecard/jake-ellzey/118/
  47. https://justfacts.votesmart.org/candidate/key-votes/147592/jake-ellzey
  48. https://ellzey.house.gov/economy-jobs
  49. https://ellzey.house.gov/economy
  50. https://ellzeyfortexas.com/?issue=cut-taxes
  51. https://ellzey.house.gov/2025/1/congressman-jake-ellzey-supports-legislation-to-protect-middle-class-families-and-small-businesses-from-irs-overreach
  52. https://ellzey.house.gov/2022/4/congressman-jake-ellzey-join-colleagues-in-sending-letter-opposing-president-biden-s-farm-killer-tax
  53. https://ellzey.house.gov/press-releases?page=7
  54. https://www.instagram.com/p/CY7W7ghLZ_-/
  55. https://clerk.house.gov/Votes/2023243
  56. https://ellzey.house.gov/2023/5/congressman-ellzey-s-statement-on-the-fisical
  57. https://www.facebook.com/CommanderEllzey/videos/jake-ellzey-for-congress-100-pro-life/972070320263247/
  58. https://sbaprolife.org/representative/jake-ellzey
  59. https://ellzeyfortexas.com/issues/
  60. https://www.ontheissues.org/TX/Jake_Ellzey.htm
  61. https://clerk.house.gov/Votes/2022373
  62. https://staging-scorecard.limitedgov.org/lawmakers/E000071
  63. https://ellzey.house.gov/national-security
  64. https://ellzey.house.gov/2025/9/congressman-ellzey-s-statement-on-the-fy26-national-defense-authorization-act
  65. https://www.midlothianmirror.com/ellzey-votes-in-favor-of-military-legislation/
  66. https://clerk.house.gov/Votes/2024151
  67. https://gopforukraine.com/legislator/jake-ellzey/
  68. https://ellzey.house.gov/2023/10/congressman-ellzey-statement-on-invasion-of-israel
  69. https://clerk.house.gov/Votes/2024152
  70. https://ellzey.house.gov/2021/11/jake-ellzey-joins-delegation-to-southeast-asia-to-support-the-u-s-military-s-largest-combatant-command
  71. https://www.sdxcentral.com/news/hypothetical-seizure-of-tsmc-by-china-would-be-absolutely-devastating-for-the-us-economy/
  72. https://www.denvergazette.com/2021/11/16/were-not-looking-for-war-with-china-but-will-protect-taiwan-lawmaker-says-after-indo-pacific-trip-e6944d1d-d739-5e72-aad2-340788ea37c2/
  73. https://www.c-span.org/congress/votes/?congress=117&chamber=House&person=131226&vote-person-type=cast&page=32
  74. https://ellzey.house.gov/2025/4/investing-in-america-s-workforce-apprenticeship-infrastructure-tax-credit-act-of-2025-introduced-to-combat-workforce-shortages-in-critical-industries
  75. https://ellzey.house.gov/energy
  76. https://www.facebook.com/RepJakeEllzey/videos/america-must-become-energy-independent-again-my-conversation-with-the-interior-s/413607338054066/
  77. https://x.com/JakeEllzey/status/1866136496140362216
  78. https://www.npr.org/2021/05/01/992128639/texans-vote-to-fill-seat-left-by-congressman-who-died-after-coronavirus-diagnosi
  79. https://www.texastribune.org/2021/04/20/jake-ellzey-special-election/
  80. https://www.cnn.com/2021/04/30/politics/texas-6th-congressional-special-election-trump-conspiracy-theories
  81. https://www.politico.com/news/2021/07/28/texas-loss-trump-republican-party-clout-501347
  82. https://www.texastribune.org/2021/07/21/jake-ellzey-susan-wright-texas-congressional-6/
  83. https://www.nytimes.com/2021/07/27/us/texas-congress-susan-wright-jake-ellzey.html
  84. https://www.washingtonpost.com/elections/results/2024/11/05/texas-house-district-6/
  85. https://justfacts.votesmart.org/candidate/147592/jake-ellzey?categoryId=2&type=V%2CS%2CR%2CE%2CF%2CP%2CE
  86. https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/271
  87. https://www.newsweek.com/full-list-house-republicans-who-voted-against-gun-control-1714108
  88. https://ellzey.house.gov/2022/3/congressmen-jake-ellzey-joins-44-republicans-in-filing-bill-to-dismantle-potential-atf-gun-registry
  89. https://www.lcv.org/moc/jake-ellzey/
  90. https://www.lcv.org/roll-call-vote/repealing-actions-on-climate-and-environmental-justice/
  91. https://www.lcv.org/roll-call-vote/blocking-funding-for-environmental-justice-2/
  92. https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2021/05/01/us/elections/results-texas-house-district-6-special-election.html
  93. https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2021/07/27/us/elections/results-texas-house-district-6-special-runoff.html
  94. https://apnews.com/article/race-call-ellzey-wins-texas-u-s-house-district-7a3874cef5044aa2bbac2ee66cfa9213
  95. https://electionresults.sos.state.tx.us/results.html
  96. https://www.facebook.com/CommanderEllzey/posts/last-night-shelby-and-i-gathered-with-friends-and-supporters-to-celebrate-family/953523329912610/
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