Jake Ellzey

Jake Ellzey
Born	John Kevin Ellzey 24 1, 1970
Birthplace	Amarillo, Texas, U.S.
Nationality	American
Occupation	Politician, former military officer
Known for	U.S. Representative for Texas's 6th congressional district
Education	United States Naval Academy (BS)
Spouse(s)	Shelby Hoebeke
Children	2
Website	[Official congressional website Official site]

John Kevin "Jake" Ellzey Sr. (born January 24, 1970) is an American politician and retired United States Navy officer serving as the U.S. representative for Texas's 6th congressional district since July 2021. A member of the Republican Party, Ellzey won a special election runoff to fill the seat left vacant by the death of Ron Wright, defeating a field of candidates that included a rival endorsed by former President Donald Trump. Before entering Congress, Ellzey served briefly in the Texas House of Representatives, representing the 10th district from January to July 2021. His path to public office followed a twenty-year career in the Navy, during which he served as a fighter pilot and completed combat tours in both Afghanistan and the Iraq War, retiring at the rank of Commander. Ellzey's congressional victory in 2021 drew national attention as a test of Trump's influence within the Republican Party, and his subsequent legislative career has focused on issues including election integrity, rural development, and small business policy.

Early Life

Jake Ellzey was born John Kevin Ellzey on January 24, 1970, in Amarillo, Texas. He grew up in Texas and pursued a path toward military service from an early age. Details about his parents, siblings, and childhood upbringing are limited in publicly available sources, though his later career trajectory—culminating in admission to the United States Naval Academy—suggests an early interest in national defense and public service.

Ellzey's formative years in the Texas Panhandle region shaped much of his later political identity as a representative of rural and suburban Texas communities. His eventual relocation to the Ellis County area, south of Dallas–Fort Worth, placed him in the heart of the constituency he would later represent in both the Texas House and the U.S. Congress.

Education

Ellzey attended the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree. The Naval Academy, one of the United States' five federal service academies, provided Ellzey with both his undergraduate education and his commission as a naval officer. His enrollment and graduation from the academy positioned him for a career as a naval aviator, a competitive specialty within the Navy that requires rigorous academic and physical qualifications. He graduated from the academy and was commissioned into the Navy, beginning his active-duty service in 1992.

Career

Military Service

Ellzey served in the United States Navy from 1992 to 2012, a career spanning two decades that included service as a fighter pilot. During his time in the Navy, he completed combat deployments in support of operations in both Afghanistan and Iraq, two of the principal theaters of the War on Terror. His service in these conflicts placed him among the generation of American military personnel who deployed to the Middle East and Central Asia following the September 11 attacks in 2001.

Ellzey retired from the Navy at the rank of Commander, a senior officer rank equivalent to lieutenant colonel in the other branches of the U.S. military. His military background would become a central element of his political identity and campaign messaging in subsequent elections, distinguishing him in crowded Republican primary fields in Texas.

2018 Congressional Campaign

Before winning election to either the Texas House or the U.S. Congress, Ellzey first sought federal office in 2018, running in the Republican primary for Texas's 6th congressional district. The seat was held by incumbent Republican Joe Barton, who had announced he would not seek reelection. Ellzey competed in a contested primary and received an endorsement from The Dallas Morning News editorial board, which recommended him to voters in the GOP primary. Despite this endorsement, Ellzey did not win the primary; the seat was ultimately won by Ron Wright, who went on to serve in Congress until his death in 2021.

Texas House of Representatives

Following his unsuccessful 2018 congressional bid, Ellzey turned his attention to the Texas House of Representatives. He ran for the 10th district seat in the 2020 Republican primary, succeeding in that contest. The 10th district encompassed parts of Ellis County and surrounding areas south of the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex.

During the Republican primary campaign, Ellzey participated in candidate forums and distinguished himself among multiple contenders for the seat being vacated by outgoing Representative John Wray. After winning the primary and the subsequent general election in November 2020, Ellzey took office on January 12, 2021.

His tenure in the Texas House was brief, lasting approximately six and a half months. During this period, the Texas legislature convened for its 87th regular session. Ellzey's service in Austin was cut short by his decision to pursue the congressional seat that had opened following the death of Ron Wright in February 2021. He was succeeded in the Texas House by Brian Harrison.

2021 Special Election for Congress

On February 7, 2021, U.S. Representative Ron Wright, who represented Texas's 6th congressional district, died after contracting COVID-19, becoming the first sitting member of Congress to die from the disease. His death triggered a special election to fill the vacancy, drawing a large and competitive field of candidates from both parties.

Ellzey, then serving as a freshman state representative, announced his candidacy for the seat on February 26, 2021, joining what became a crowded field. The race attracted national attention in part because of the candidacy of Susan Wright, the widow of the late congressman, who received the endorsement of former President Donald Trump. The special election was conducted under Texas's "jungle primary" format, in which all candidates from all parties compete on a single ballot, with the top two vote-getters advancing to a runoff if no candidate receives a majority.

First Round

The first round of the special election was held on May 1, 2021. The race featured 23 candidates, including multiple Republicans and Democrats. Susan Wright and Ellzey emerged as the top two finishers, both advancing to the runoff. Democrats were effectively shut out of the runoff, a development that was acknowledged by Democratic candidates and party officials who conceded they would not have a nominee in the final round.

Runoff Election

The runoff between Ellzey and Susan Wright was held on July 27, 2021, and became one of the most closely watched congressional races in the country. The contest was widely framed as a test of Donald Trump's endorsement power within the Republican Party, as Trump had backed Susan Wright while Ellzey ran without the former president's support.

Ellzey won the runoff, defeating Susan Wright and securing the seat despite the lack of a Trump endorsement. The result was interpreted by political analysts and media outlets as a notable instance in which a Trump-endorsed candidate lost a Republican contest, raising questions about the limits of the former president's influence in intraparty races.

Ellzey was sworn in as a member of the 117th United States Congress on July 30, 2021, with Speaker Nancy Pelosi administering the oath of office. Reporting at the time noted that Ellzey had "mended fences" with Trump following the contentious runoff.

Congressional Tenure

Since taking office, Ellzey has represented Texas's 6th congressional district, which encompasses parts of the suburban and rural areas south and southeast of the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex. He has served on congressional committees and engaged in legislative work across several policy areas.

Election Integrity Legislation

In 2025, Ellzey became an advocate for legislation aimed at strengthening voter identification requirements. He voted in favor of the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, which would require individuals to provide proof of citizenship before registering to vote in federal elections. In media appearances, Ellzey explained his support for the legislation, stating that Americans should be required to show proof of citizenship before voting.

Small Business and Rural Development

Ellzey has been involved in congressional efforts related to small business policy and rural development. In early 2025, the House Committee on Small Business held a hearing on its Subcommittee on Rural Development, Energy, and Supply Chains at which Ellzey participated, with the session titled "Empowering Rural America Through Investment in Innovation." This work reflects the largely suburban and rural character of the 6th congressional district.

Foreign Policy

Ellzey has engaged with foreign policy discussions during his time in Congress, drawing on his military background. In 2025, the Hudson Institute, a Washington, D.C.-based think tank, scheduled an event titled "The State of Republican Foreign Policy with Congressman Jake Ellzey," though the event was subsequently postponed.

2026 Election Cycle

As of early 2026, Ellzey has been actively fundraising for his reelection campaign. Federal Election Commission filings disclosed approximately $310,000 in new fundraising during the fourth quarter of 2025.

Following Texas's redistricting process, the political landscape of the region has shifted. Tarrant County, which overlaps with parts of several congressional districts, now encompasses five congressional districts, affecting the competitive dynamics for representatives including Ellzey.

In a February 2025 interview with the Waxahachie Sun, Ellzey addressed criticism of several of his congressional votes, seeking to provide context for his legislative record.

Personal Life

Ellzey is married to Shelby Hoebeke, and the couple has two children. The family resides in the area encompassed by Texas's 6th congressional district, in the suburban and rural communities south of the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex. Ellzey's personal life has remained relatively private, with his public profile centered on his military service and political career.

Recognition

Ellzey's victory in the 2021 special election runoff for Texas's 6th congressional district received substantial national media coverage. Outlets including The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, CNN, and The Texas Tribune covered the race extensively, in large part because of its implications for understanding Donald Trump's influence within the Republican Party.

Prior to his congressional campaign, The Dallas Morning News editorial board endorsed Ellzey in the 2018 Republican primary for the 6th congressional district, citing his qualifications for the seat.

His military service, including combat deployments as a Navy fighter pilot in Afghanistan and Iraq over a twenty-year career, has been a defining element of his public biography and has been referenced consistently in media coverage and campaign materials.