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	(1960-03-13)March 13, 1960 Springfield, Missouri, U.S.
Died	February 9, 2022(2022-02-09) (aged 61) Harrison, Arkansas, U.S.
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

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.

Honorary titles
Preceded by Robin Taylor	Dean of the Alaska Senate 2003–2017	Succeeded by Lyman Hoffman