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 a member of the Navajo Nation and is the first Native American to serve in the Wyoming Senate.

Affie Ellis
Member of the Wyoming Senate
from the 8th district
Assumed office
January 10, 2017
Preceded byFloyd Esquibel
Personal details
Born1979/1980
Jackson Hole, Wyoming, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
Spouse(s)Dennis Ellis
Children3
Alma materUniversity of Wyoming (BS)
University of Colorado Law School (JD)

Early life

Affie Burnside was born to Jim and Lenoa Burnside, both of whom were born on the Navajo Reservation. 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
Main article: List of Native American politicians

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
2016 Wyoming Senate 8th district Republican primary[5]
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
2016 Wyoming Senate 8th district election[6]
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
  1. "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.
  2. "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.
  3. "Affie Ellis' Biography". Vote Smart. Archived from the original on August 4, 2020.
  4. "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.
  5. "2016 primary results" (PDF). Secretary of State of Wyoming. Archived (PDF) from the original on December 21, 2016.
  6. "2016 election results" (PDF). Secretary of State of Wyoming.
  7. "First Native American". Women in Wyoming. Archived from the original on August 4, 2020.
  8. "Committee assignments". Casper Star-Tribune. November 23, 2016. p. A13. Archived from the original on August 4, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. "Sam Galeotos endorsement". Casper Star-Tribune. July 27, 2018. p. A4. Archived from the original on August 4, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
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