Jake Ellzey

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. 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. He served in the United States Navy as a fighter pilot, completing tours in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Early life and education

Ellzey was born in Amarillo, Texas, and raised in Perryton. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in political science from the United States Naval Academy in 1992. Ellzey was deployed nine times in his 20 years in the Navy before becoming a commercial airline pilot.

Career

Since retiring from the Navy, Ellzey has worked as a pilot for Southwest Airlines and as a consultant. He was also a social aide in the White House Office during the Bush administration. From 2012 to 2018, he was one of five commissioners of the Texas Veterans Commission.

In 2018, Ellzey was an unsuccessful candidate for Texas's 6th congressional district. During his campaign, he was endorsed by The Dallas Morning News. 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. 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. Republican Brian Harrison won the seat, defeating the representative who previously held the seat, John Wray.

U.S. House of Representatives

Elections

2021 special

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. 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. Governor Greg Abbott set July 27 as the special election runoff date. Ellzey defeated Wright in the runoff, 53% to 47%. He was sworn in on July 30, 2021.

2022

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

2024

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

Tenure

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. He later opposed the October 2023 vote to remove McCarthy as speaker, which ultimately succeeded 216–210. 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.

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.

Committee assignments

Committee on Appropriations
- Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies
- Subcommittee on Defense
- Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies
- Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies
Committee on Small Business
- Subcommittee on Contracting and Infrastructure
- Subcommittee on Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Workforce Development

Caucus memberships

Republican Main Street Partnership
Congressional Caucus on Turkey and Turkish Americans

Political positions

Ellzey voted to provide Israel with support following 2023 Hamas attack on Israel.

Veterans

The PACT ACT which expanded VA benefits to veterans exposed to toxic chemicals during their military service, received a "nay" from Ellzey. Regarding cannabis, despite lobbying from VSOs such as the DAV, Ellzey also voted against the 2022 MORE Act.

Abortion

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

Marijuana

Jake Ellzey has an "F" rating from the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) for his voting history regarding cannabis-related causes.