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Arthur Ellis (Maryland politician)

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Arthur Ellis
Ellis in 2022
Member of the Maryland Senate
from the 28th district
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 9, 2019
Preceded byThomas M. Middleton
Personal details
Born
Arthur Carr Ellis

(1961-07-26) July 26, 1961 (age 63)
Portland Parish, Jamaica
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseRosalind
Children2
Residence(s)Indian Head, Maryland, U.S.
EducationUniversity of Maryland, College Park (BS)
City University of New York (MS)
ProfessionCertified Public Accountant
CommitteesFinance
WebsiteCampaign website
Military service
Allegiance United States
Branch/service United States Air Force
Years of service1983–2001
RankSecond Lieutenant
AwardsCommendation Medal

Arthur Carr Ellis (born July 26, 1961) is an American politician and accountant who has served as a member of the Maryland Senate from the 28th district since 2019.

Background

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Ellis was born in Portland Parish, Jamaica, on July 26, 1961.[1][2] He graduated from the University of Maryland, College Park with a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry and agriculture in 1983, and the City University of New York (CUNY) with a Master of Science in accountancy in 1990.[1] He served in the United States Air Force from 1983 to 1989, and in the U.S. Air Force Reserves until 2001,[1] attaining the rank of second lieutenant. He returned to the United States and moved to Maryland after being discharged from military after being injured while serving.[3]

After graduating from CUNY, Ellis became an associate at Mitchell & Titus, afterwards working as an instructor for the Maryland Association of Certified Public Accountants, the University of the District of Columbia, and the University of Maryland Global Campus until 1993. From 2008 to 2017, he worked as a volunteer leader at the University of Maryland Extension.[1]

Ellis became involved in politics as a member of the Charles County NAACP chapter, becoming its communications director in 2016.[1] In March 2017, he criticized the state's $900,000 purchase and preservation of land where Josiah Henson was enslaved before escaping to freedom, arguing that the money would be better spent on youth programs.[4] He ran for the Maryland Senate in 2018, challenging six-term incumbent Thomas M. Middleton. Ellis defeated Middleton in an upset[5] in the Democratic primary on June 26, 2018, receiving 52.0 percent of the vote and edging out Middleton by 651 votes.[6] Following Middleton's defeat, the Maryland Republican Party targeted the district, backing businessman and Charles County Republican Party chairman Bill Dotson,[7][8] who Ellis defeated in the general election on November 6, 2018, with 66.2 percent of the vote.[9]

Maryland Senate

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Ellis in the Senate Finance Committee, 2024

Ellis was sworn into the Maryland Senate on January 9, 2019. Since 2020, he has served as the assistant deputy majority leader.[1]

Committee assignments

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  • Senate Chair, Joint Committee on the Management of Public Funds, 2023–present[1]
  • Finance Committee, 2023–present[1]
  • Joint Committee on Ending Homelessness, 2019–present[1]
  • Education, Health and Environmental Affairs Committee, 2019–2022 (education subcommittee, 2019–2022; health subcommittee, 2019–2022)[1]
  • Joint Subcommittee on Program Open Space and Agricultural Land Preservation, 2019–2022[1]
  • Senate President's Advisory Work Group on Equity and Inclusion, 2020–2021[10]

Political positions

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During his 2018 campaign, Ellis described himself as a progressive Democrat.[11]

Education

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During the 2020 legislative session, Ellis voted against an amendment to the Blueprint for Maryland's Future that would provide $150 million in grants toward programs to improve students' behavioral health, arguing that it could "stigmatize poor kids and create a long-lasting trail of unemployability for these children".[12] In January 2021, he said he supported overriding Governor Larry Hogan's veto of the Blueprint.[13]

During the 2022 legislative session, Ellis introduced a bill that would split up the College of Southern Maryland and use the college's La Plata campus to create a new Charles County Community College.[14]

Electoral reform

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During the 2021 legislative session, Ellis introduced a bill to require the makeup of local election boards to be based on the party affiliation of voters in each county, rather than the governor's political party.[15] He also supported a bill that would eliminate at-large county commissioner districts, requiring commissioners to be elected to individual districts.[16]

Environment

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During the 2021 legislative session, Ellis introduced an amendment to the Climate Solutions Now Act that would prioritize tree planting projects in underserved areas, and another amendment requiring the state's climate transition workgroup to include a veteran, a formerly incarcerated person, two women and two NAACP members; both amendments were adopted.[17]

Policing

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During the 2021 legislative session, Ellis introduced a bill that would prohibit school resource officers from entering schools unless instructed or in the event of an emergency.[18] The bill failed to move out of committee.[19]

In 2022, Ellis said he supported overriding Governor Larry Hogan's veto of a bill to repeal the Law Enforcement Officer's Bill of Rights.[20]

Transportation

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During his 2018 campaign, Ellis said he supported upgrades to U.S. 301 and Maryland Routes 5 and 210, as well as expanding MARC rail services to Charles County.[21] During the 2020 legislative session, he introduced a bill to provide $27 million toward building a light rail line in southern Maryland along Route 5,[22] and another to provide inmates with Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration-administered identification cards and license renewal before their release.[23]

During the 2021 legislative session, Ellis introduced a bill to rename Indian Head Highway to the President Barack Obama Highway.[24]

Personal life

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Ellis and his wife Rosalind with Governor Larry Hogan, 2019

Ellis is married to his wife, Rosalind. Together, they have two children.[3]

Ellis was inducted into the Charles County NAACP Hall of Fame in 2018.[3]

Electoral history

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Maryland Senate District 28 Democratic primary election, 2018[25]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Arthur Ellis 8,309 52.0
Democratic Thomas M. Middleton (incumbent) 7,663 48.0
Maryland Senate District 28 election, 2018[26]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Arthur Ellis 37,585 66.2
Republican Bill Dotson 19,063 33.6
Write-in 145 0.3
Maryland Senate District 28 election, 2022[27]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Arthur Ellis (incumbent) 30,168 67.0
Republican Michelle Talkington 14,765 32.8
Write-in 64 0.1

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Arthur Ellis, Maryland State Senator". Maryland Manual On-Line. Maryland State Archives. February 22, 2019. Retrieved March 2, 2019.
  2. ^ Marks, Audrey (November 20, 2023). "Ambassador Marks Hails Jamaicans Who Won In Mid-term Elections". Jamaica Information Service. Retrieved July 5, 2023.
  3. ^ a b c Wright, Charlie (March 21, 2018). "Charles County NAACP honors black law enforcement, Hall of Fame members". Maryland Independent. Retrieved July 5, 2023.
  4. ^ Norris, Joseph (March 27, 2017). "Charles County NAACP celebrates 75 years". The BayNet. Retrieved July 5, 2023.
  5. ^ Sanderson, Michael (June 27, 2018). "Middleton Upset in Senate Race, Among Numerous Annapolis Leaders Departing". Conduit Street. Maryland Association of Counties. Retrieved July 5, 2023.
  6. ^ Zorzi, William F. (June 27, 2018). "Stunning Developments: Middleton, Vallario Lose, Conway Trails; Generational Change in Baltimore". Maryland Matters. Retrieved July 5, 2023.
  7. ^ Kurtz, Josh (September 30, 2018). "Races for Maryland Senate, House of Delegates". Maryland Matters. Retrieved July 5, 2023.
  8. ^ Broadwater, Luke (October 26, 2018). "Maryland GOP wages 'Fight for Five' campaign to end Democrats' supermajority in state Senate". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved July 5, 2023.
  9. ^ Kurtz, Josh (November 7, 2018). "GOP's 'Drive for Five' Stalls". Maryland Matters. Retrieved July 5, 2023.
  10. ^ Gaskill, Hannah (August 17, 2020). "Ferguson Convenes Senate Workgroup to Address Inequities". Maryland Matters. Retrieved July 5, 2023.
  11. ^ Armus, Teo; Chason, Rachel (June 27, 2018). "'Political earthquake': Progressives oust Democratic incumbents in statehouse primaries". The Washington Post. Retrieved July 5, 2023.
  12. ^ Gaines, Danielle E. (March 12, 2020). "Senate Panels Approve Education Reform Bill With A Potential Off-Ramp After Five Years". Maryland Matters. Retrieved July 5, 2023.
  13. ^ Shwe, Elizabeth (January 13, 2021). "Cardboard Cutouts of Kids Featured at Pro-Kirwan Rally in Annapolis". Maryland Matters. Retrieved July 5, 2023.
  14. ^ Kurtz, Josh (February 2, 2022). "Senator Stands Alone in Fight Over Regional Community College". Maryland Matters. Retrieved July 5, 2023.
  15. ^ Leckrone, Bennett (February 19, 2021). "Bill Would Shift Party Control of Local Election Boards". Maryland Matters. Retrieved July 5, 2023.
  16. ^ DePuyt, Bruce (March 18, 2021). "At-Large Districts Are Relics That Produce 'Absurd' Results, Voting Expert Says". Maryland Matters. Retrieved July 5, 2023.
  17. ^ Shwe, Elizabeth (February 23, 2021). "Sweeping Climate Bill Passes Senate Committee After Four Voting Sessions". Maryland Matters. Retrieved July 5, 2023.
  18. ^ Shwe, Elizabeth (March 31, 2021). "Lawmakers Restructure the Role of School Police and Rethink School Disciplinary Measures". Maryland Matters. Retrieved July 5, 2023.
  19. ^ Anderson, David (March 2, 2021). "Havre de Grace police chief, city leaders opposed to school resource officer bills being considered in Annapolis". The Aegis. The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved July 5, 2023.
  20. ^ Gaines, Danielle E.; Gaskill, Hannah (April 10, 2021). "The General Assembly Overrode Hogan's Vetoes of Police Reform Bills. We Break Down the Votes". Maryland Matters. Retrieved July 5, 2023.
  21. ^ Lagasse, Paul (June 29, 2018). "Ellis defeats Middleton in primary". Maryland Independent. Retrieved July 5, 2023.
  22. ^ DePuyt, Bruce (January 10, 2020). "Lawmaker: MDOT Treats Southern Md. 'Like a Toilet'". Maryland Matters. Retrieved July 5, 2023.
  23. ^ Gaskill, Hannah (January 22, 2020). "Bill Would Streamline Process of Supplying MVA ID Cards to Ex-Inmates". Maryland Matters. Retrieved July 5, 2023.
  24. ^ DePuyt, Bruce (February 12, 2021). "Lawmakers Seek to Rename Md. Highway to Honor Former President". Maryland Matters. Retrieved July 5, 2023.
  25. ^ "Official 2018 Gubernatorial Primary Election results for State Senator". elections.maryland.gov. Maryland State Board of Elections. July 31, 2018.
  26. ^ "Official 2018 Gubernatorial General Election results for State Senator". elections.maryland.gov. Maryland State Board of Elections. December 11, 2018.
  27. ^ "Official 2022 Gubernatorial General Election results for State Senator". elections.maryland.gov. Maryland State Board of Elections. December 7, 2022.
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