Rep. Ellzey Meets Voters Before Election Day
By Mark Archibald
Congressman Jake Ellzey may not be the most popular or recognizable member of the House of Representatives, and he is okay with that.
During an event billed as “Family, Friends, and Fellowship,” Ellzey told a crowd of around 50 at the Collin Club in Corsicana, that he chooses to be effective rather than loud as a legislator.
“My staff keeps me off of social media and I’m better for it,” he said.
Ellzey, who was first elected to represent Texas’s Sixth District in 2021, spoke candidly, Tuesday night, saying the weeks ahead might be difficult ones for his Republican colleagues in Congress.
“I know the price of gas and diesel is hurting people, I had to put my head down, the other day when I filled up my truck,” he said.
“Gas prices are up because ships can’t get through the Strait of Hormuz. We also need to refine more diesel in the United States,” said Ellzey
The Naval veteran, husband, and father, said, “I continue to support the war in Iran because as a veteran, I don’t want to see another generation of war fighters sent to the Middle East.”
“President Trump is doing the right things, though he does not always get the message out the right way,” said Ellzey.
“However, his communication problems have made it more difficult on all Republican candidates running in November,” he said.
The Ellis County Republican also highlighted his staff, and the pride he has in their ability to assist constituents cut through government’s red tape and receive answers from government agencies.
Ellzey said that no matter the results on November 3, he remains upbeat about America’s future.
In an exclusive interview with the Chronicle, which followed the event, Ellzey also discussed the recent agreement for Russia to provide more diesel to the United States.
“A lot of times President Trump has more things going on behind the scenes, although it made a lot of people kind of tilt their head and say… ‘What?’”
Ellzey again reaffirmed his position, saying, “the best way to bring down costs is to win the war in Iran.”
Ellzey also discussed the necessity to replenish the munitions that have been used during the war.
“We have to pay for it through the budgeting process or reconciliation, that will start again when we get back to Washington, after the election.”
Ellzey concluded the interview by saying he was a strong proponent of Article I of the Constitution.
“I am committed to having a strong legislative branch in our government,” he said.
Ellzey will face Democrat Danny Mitton from Arlington for The Sixth District seat.
The Sixth District includes Hill Ellis Navarro Cherokee and Anderson Counties as well as portions of Dallas and Tarrant and Freestone Counties.
Early voting begins Monday, Oct. 19 through Oct. 30.
Election Day is November 3.
MINTON HEADS TO CORSICANA
By Mark Archibald
As campaign season winds down candidates across the country are taking part in debates and town halls in advance of Election Day, November 3.
Both men received their party’s nomination, Mitton was unopposed in the March Primary.
Last Thursday’s town hall was originally billed as a debate, however Ellzey never agreed to attend.
Several attendees of the impromptu town hall, asked Minton, who works in the field of breast cancer research questions about health care and how he would address affordability.
Minton said he supports Medicare for all. Though he added that “passing the legislation would be more difficult that talking about it.”
Minton told a crowd gathered at the Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center in Corsicana that prices have gotten too high for basic necessities like food and fuel.
He blamed Republicans for inaction, saying “Jake Ellzey supports President Trump more than the people he is supposed to represent.”
Minton, a former Republican said that he became a Democrat in 2008 after noticing changes in the values of the Republican Party.
If elected he said he would work with other legislators to get things done for the region. He also said that if elected he would not vote for Hakeem Jefferies to be leader of the Democratic Party in the House of Representatives.
“Because he has not voiced support for Medicare for all,” said Minton.
“I have seen too many people face bankruptcy after receiving life saving medical care he said. It’s heartbreaking,” he said.
Jefferies is widely expected to be named Speaker of the House if Democrats gain the majority in the House after the midterm elections.
A change in the House majority seems likely given President Trump’s low approval rating and the continued perception of a weakening economy, continued worries about inflation, and employment numbers.
The nonpartisan Cook Political Report recently shifted 18 races towards Democrats, a hopeful sign according to Minton.
“The Sixth District has a history of being conservative, but as we get out and talk to more people, we are seeing movement,” he said.
The Cook Report rates Texas’s Sixth District as solidly Republican.
The Sixth District includes Hill Ellis Navarro Cherokee and Anderson Counties as well as portions of Dallas and Tarrant and Freestone Counties.
Early voting begins Monday, Oct. 19 and ends Oct. 30.
Election Day is November 3.