Affie Ellis (née Burnside; born c. 1979/1980) is an American politician who serves in the Wyoming Senate from the 8th district as a member of the Republican Party. She is a member of the Navajo Nation and is the first Native American to serve in the Wyoming Senate.
Affie Ellis | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the Wyoming Senate from the 8th district | |
| Assumed office January 10, 2017 | |
| Preceded by | Floyd Esquibel |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1979/1980 Jackson Hole, Wyoming, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Dennis Ellis |
| Children | 3 |
| Alma mater | University of Wyoming (BS) University of Colorado Law School (JD) |
Early life
editAffie Burnside was born to Jim and Lenoa Burnside, both of whom were born on the Navajo Reservation. She married Dennis Ellis, with whom she had three children.[1][2][3]
She graduated from Jackson Hole High School. From 1996 to 2000, Ellis attended the University of Wyoming and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in political science and American Indian studies.[4] From 2004 to 2007, she attended the University of Colorado Law School and graduated with a Juris Doctor.[1][3]
Career
editFrom 2000 to 2004, Ellis worked as a legislative aid to Senator Craig L. Thomas and was in charge of Indian, public lands, and housing issues.[1] On January 6, 2004, Ellis was appointed to serve as Director of Congressional and Public Affairs for the National Indian Gaming Commission.[2] In 2010, she was appointed by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to serve on the Tribal Law and Order Commission after being recommended by Senator John Barrasso.[5][6]
Wyoming Senate
editIn 2016, she ran with the Republican nomination for the Wyoming Senate in the 8th district and defeated incumbent Democratic Senator Floyd Esquibel.[7][8] She is the first Native American and member of the Navajo Nation to serve in the Wyoming Senate.[9]
During Ellis' tenure in the Wyoming Senate she has served on the Revenue committee.[10] During the 2018 Wyoming gubernatorial election she endorsed Sam Galeotos during the Republican primary.[11]
Electoral history
edit| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Affie Ellis | 1,052 | 97.77% | ||
| Republican | Write-ins | 24 | 2.23% | ||
| Total votes | 1,076 | 100.00% | |||
| Undervote | Invalid votes | 269 | |||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Affie Ellis | 3,638 | 60.66% | ||
| Democratic | Floyd Esquibel (incumbent) | 2,346 | 39.12% | ||
| Independent | Write-ins | 13 | 0.22% | ||
| Total votes | 5,997 | 100.00% | |||
| Undervote | Invalid votes | 285 | |||
References
edit- ^ a b c "Jackson woman takes Indian Gaming job". Casper Star-Tribune. January 13, 2004. p. 11. Archived from the original on August 4, 2020. Retrieved August 4, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b "Director of Congressional and Public Affairs for the National Indian Gaming Commission". Jackson Hole News and Guide. January 14, 2004. p. 37. Archived from the original on August 4, 2020. Retrieved August 4, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b "Affie Ellis' Biography". Vote Smart. Archived from the original on August 4, 2020. Retrieved August 4, 2020.
- ^ "Senate District 08: Senator Affie Ellis". www.wyoleg.gov. Archived from the original on February 23, 2021. Retrieved November 25, 2021.
- ^ Eagle, Kathryn Palmer Wyoming Tribune (February 25, 2021). "Senators advance bill to clarify Wyoming's definition of unexcused absences". Wyoming Tribune Eagle. Retrieved November 25, 2021.
- ^ "Ellis appointed". Casper Star-Tribune. February 16, 2014. p. 8. Archived from the original on August 4, 2020. Retrieved August 4, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.;"Ellis appointed 2". Casper Star-Tribune. April 28, 2011. p. 44. Archived from the original on August 4, 2020. Retrieved August 4, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b "2016 primary results" (PDF). Secretary of State of Wyoming. Archived (PDF) from the original on December 21, 2016.
- ^ a b "2016 election results" (PDF). Secretary of State of Wyoming.
- ^ "First Native American". Women in Wyoming. Archived from the original on August 4, 2020. Retrieved March 3, 2020.
- ^ "Committee assignments". Casper Star-Tribune. November 23, 2016. p. A13. Archived from the original on August 4, 2020. Retrieved August 4, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Sam Galeotos endorsement". Casper Star-Tribune. July 27, 2018. p. A4. Archived from the original on August 4, 2020. Retrieved August 4, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.