Jim Ellison (Michigan politician)

Jim Ellison (born January 7, 1952)[1] is an American politician who served as a member of the Michigan House of Representatives from 2017-2022.[2][3] He is a member of the Democratic Party. He now serves as Oakland County's Chief of Older Adult Services, a position introduced in 2023.[3]

Jim Ellison
Member of the Michigan House of Representatives
from the 26th district
In office
January 1, 2017 – December 31, 2022
Preceded byJim Townsend
Succeeded byDylan Wegela
Mayor of Royal Oak, Michigan
In office
2003 – December 31, 2016
Preceded byWilliam Urich
Succeeded byMichael Fournier
Personal details
BornJanuary 7, 1952
Royal Oak, Michigan
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseJodie
Children8
ResidenceRoyal Oak, Michigan

Early career

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Ellison started his career as a construction cost estimator with Ronnisch Construction Group and Barton Malow Company, with the latter being where he spent most of his career.[1][4][5] He also worked in business development at Royal Oak Storage.[1]

Ellison held a number of elected offices before joining the state legislature.[1][3] He was a commissioner for the City of Royal Oak from 1991-1995. He was also the longest-serving mayor of Royal Oak, Michigan, holding office from 2003-2016, when he left to join the Michigan House of Representatives.[1][3][5]

State legislature

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Ellison vacated his position as mayor of Royal Oak in 2016 to take his seat in the state legislature, which he held through 2022.[3][6]

Michigan House of Representatives

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Committee assignments

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  • Families, Children, and Seniors
  • Health Policy
  • Tax Policy
  • Local Government[2]

Electoral history

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Michigan House of Representatives District 26 Election, 2016[7]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Jim Ellison 26,785 59.37 N/A
Republican Randy LeVasseur 18,333 40.63 N/A
Majority N/A
Democratic hold Swing
Michigan House of Representatives District 26 Election, 2018[8]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Jim Ellison 27,962 68.51 N/A
Republican Al Gui 12,853 31.49 N/A
Majority N/A
Democratic hold Swing
Michigan House of Representatives District 26 Election, 2020[9]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Jim Ellison 33,208 63.66 N/A
Republican Chris Meister 18,955 36.34 N/A
Majority N/A
Democratic hold Swing

Personal life

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He resides in Royal Oak with his wife, Jodie, the manager of the Royal Oak Animal Shelter.[1][4][5] He has eight children - Emilie, Brian, Bradley, Sarah, Jonathan, Jacob, Madeline, and Isaac - and 16 grandchildren.[1][4][5] Ellison was the founding chairman of the Woodward Dream Cruise, and uses his free time to work on a classic 1955 Ford Centerline.[4][5] He also enjoys spending time with his dogs, cats, rabbits, pig and Canadian goose.[4][5]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g "2021-2022 Michigan Manual" (PDF). Legislature.MI.gov. Retrieved May 22, 2023.
  2. ^ a b "News From Rep. Ellison". 19 December 2016.
  3. ^ a b c d e "Former Royal Oak Mayor Jim Ellison named Oakland County chief of Older Adult Services". www.cbsnews.com. 2023-01-12. Retrieved 2023-05-22.
  4. ^ a b c d e "Oakland County Executive Names Jim Ellison New Chief of Older Adult Services". Oakland County Times. 2023-01-12. Retrieved 2023-05-22.
  5. ^ a b c d e f "Former Royal Oak mayor, state rep to head county's new Older Adult Services". Daily Tribune. 2023-01-13. Retrieved 2023-05-22.
  6. ^ "Royal Oak's longest-serving mayor heads for state House". Detroit Free Press.
  7. ^ "2016 Michigan Official General Election Results - 11/08/2016". mielections.us.
  8. ^ "2018 Michigan Official General Election Results - 11/06/2018". mielections.us.
  9. ^ "2020 Michigan Official General Election Results - 11/03/2020". mielections.us.