Walter Michael Ezell (/ˈiˌzɛl/ EE-ZELL; born April 6, 1959)[1] is a former American law enforcement officer and politician serving as the U.S. representative for Mississippi's 4th congressional district since 2023. He is a member of the Republican Party.
Mike Ezell | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Mississippi's 4th district | |
| Assumed office January 3, 2023 | |
| Preceded by | Steven Palazzo |
| Sheriff of Jackson County | |
| In office December 1, 2014 – December 31, 2022 | |
| Preceded by | Mike Byrd |
| Succeeded by | John Ledbetter |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Walter Michael Ezell April 6, 1959 Pascagoula, Mississippi, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Suzette |
| Children | 1 |
| Education | University of Southern Mississippi (BA) |
| Website | House website |
Early life and education
editEzell was born in Pascagoula, Mississippi to S.H. "Buck", a police officer, and Betty Ezell.[2][3]
He attended the University of Southern Mississippi, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in criminal justice. [citation needed] He also graduated from the Mississippi Law Enforcement Officers Training Academy in 1981 and FBI National Academy in 1990.[2]
Career
editLaw enforcement officer
editFollowing a stint as police chief in Ocean Springs, Ezell returned to Pascagoula, where he received an assignment to the FBI Safe Streets Task Force. He later served as chief of law enforcement for the Pascagoula School District and the Singing River Health System.[4]
Ezell was elected sheriff of Jackson County, Mississippi, in a 2014 special election after Mike Byrd resigned.[2][5]
U.S. House of Representatives
editElections
edit2022
editIn 2021, Ezell announced that he would challenge Republican incumbent Steven Palazzo in Mississippi's 4th congressional district in the 2022 elections.[6] In the seven-way June 7 primary election, Palazzo received the most votes, 31.5%, and Ezell finished second with 25%.[7] Because no candidate received 50% of the vote, Palazzo and Ezell faced each other in a runoff election. All the other candidates in the race endorsed Ezell after they were eliminated.[8]
Ezell won the June 28 primary runoff election[9] and defeated Democratic nominee Johnny DuPree in the November general election.[10]
Committee assignments
editFor the 118th Congress:[11]
Controversies
editOn May 7, 2024, the Associated Press reported allegations that Congressman Mike Ezell assaulted an activist from CodePink as she asked about his support for a peace proposal for Gaza by slapping a cellular telephone from her hand as she was recording a confrontation with him.[12]
Political positions
editEzell voted to provide Israel with support following 2023 Hamas attack on Israel.[13][14]
Personal life
editEzell is married to Suzette Ezell. They have one daughter and one granddaughter.[15]
References
edit- ^ "Mississippi New Members 2023". November 17, 2022. Retrieved November 18, 2022.
- ^ a b c "Biography – Sheriff, "Mike" Ezell". co.jackson.ms.us. Jackson County, Mississippi. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
- ^ @RepEzell (November 13, 2023). "Ezell to miss votes following mother's passing" (Tweet). Retrieved November 13, 2023 – via Twitter.
- ^ "Mike Ezell sworn in as Jackson County's new sheriff". gulflive.com. December 1, 2014. Retrieved October 13, 2022.
- ^ Grace, Caray (December 2, 2014). "Jackson County swears in new sheriff". Wlox.com. Retrieved October 13, 2022.
- ^ "Congress: South Mississippi sheriff to challenge U.S. Rep. Steven Palazzo in 2022". Clarionledger.com. Retrieved November 9, 2022.
- ^ "Palazzo, Ezell head to runoff for 4th Congressional District Republican nomination". WLOX. June 8, 2022. Retrieved November 1, 2022.
- ^ Pender, Geoff (June 9, 2022). "Every Republican challenger of Rep. Steven Palazzo endorses his runoff opponent Mike Ezell". Mississippi Today. Retrieved November 1, 2022.
- ^ Weissert, Will (June 28, 2022). "Rep. Michael Guest, Sheriff Mike Ezell win Mississippi runoffs". PBS NewsHour. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
- ^ Perez, Mary (November 8, 2022). "Here's how big Mike Ezell won South Mississippi's Congressional race Tuesday night". Sun Herald. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
- ^ "Mike Ezell". Clerk of the United States House of Representatives. Retrieved August 17, 2023.
- ^ "Activist says US congressman knocked cellphone from her hand as she asked about Israel-Hamas war". Associated Press News. May 7, 2024. Retrieved May 10, 2024.
- ^ Demirjian, Karoun (October 25, 2023). "House Declares Solidarity With Israel in First Legislation Under New Speaker". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
- ^ "Roll Call 528 Roll Call 528, Bill Number: H. Res. 771, 118th Congress, 1st Session". Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives. October 25, 2023. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
- ^ "Meet Mike". Mike Ezell for Congress. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
- ^ "Religious affiliation of members of 118th Congress" (PDF). Pew Research Center. Retrieved April 8, 2023.
External links
edit- Congressman Mike Ezell official U.S. House website
- Mike Ezell for Congress campaign website
- Biography at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
- Financial information (federal office) at the Federal Election Commission
- Legislation sponsored at the Library of Congress
- Profile at Vote Smart
- Appearances on C-SPAN