Affie Ellis
Affie Ellis (née Burnside; born c. 1979/1980) is an American politician who served in the Wyoming Senate from the 8th district as a member of the Republican Party. She is the first Native American and member of the Navajo Nation to serve in the Wyoming Senate.
Jeanne Givens | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Wyoming Senate from the 8th district | |
| Assumed office January 10, 2017 | |
| Preceded by | Floyd Esquibel |
| Personal details | |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse(s) | Dennis Ellis |
| Children | 3 |
| Alma mater | University of Wyoming (BS) University of Colorado Law School (JD) |
Early life
Affie Burnside was born to Jim and Lenoa Burnside. 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. From 2004 to 2007, she attended the University of Colorado Law School and graduated with a Juris Doctor.[1][3]
Career
From 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.[4]
Wyoming Senate
In 2016, she ran with the Republican nomination for the Wyoming Senate in the 8th district and defeated incumbent Democratic Senator Floyd Esquibel.[5][6] She is the first Native American and member of the Navajo Nation to serve in the Wyoming Senate.[7]
During Ellis' tenure in the Wyoming Senate she has served on the Revenue committee.[8] During the 2018 Wyoming gubernatorial election she endorsed Sam Galeotos during the Republican primary.[9]
Electoral history
| 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
- "Jackson woman takes Indian Gaming job". Casper Star-Tribune. January 13, 2004. p. 11. Archived from the original on August 4, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
- "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 – via Newspapers.com.
- "Affie Ellis' Biography". Vote Smart. Archived from the original on August 4, 2020.
- "Ellis appointed". Casper Star-Tribune. February 16, 2014. p. 8. Archived from the original on 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 – via Newspapers.com.
- "2016 primary results" (PDF). Secretary of State of Wyoming. Archived (PDF) from the original on December 21, 2016.
- "2016 election results" (PDF). Secretary of State of Wyoming.
- "First Native American". Women in Wyoming. Archived from the original on August 4, 2020.
- "Committee assignments". Casper Star-Tribune. November 23, 2016. p. A13. Archived from the original on 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 – via Newspapers.com.