North Texas Congressman Jake Ellzey Sworn In After Upsetting Trump-Backed Susan Wright
WASHINGTON (CBSDFW.COM/AP) — Texas Republican Jake Ellzey was sworn in to the House on Friday, days after winning a special election in which he defeated his predecessor's widow, who was backed by former President Donald Trump.
Trump continues to hold tremendous sway over the GOP and has sought to make himself a kingmaker since losing the 2020 presidential election. Yet Ellzey's come-from-behind victory Tuesday over Republican Susan Wright, widow of Rep. Ron Wright, suggests there may be limits to his influence — particularly in the suburbs.
"I believe America is exceptional. I love my country. It's an honor to serve," Ellzey said from the House floor after taking an oath of office administered by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
Ellzey thanked his family and pledged to represent the 6th Congressional District with "quiet professionalism." He also held a moment of silence for Ron Wright, 67, who died in February just weeks into his second term. Wright was diagnosed with COVID-19 and had lung cancer. Susan Wright was also diagnosed with COVID-19 and at one point was hospitalized with her husband.
Ellzey's victory in the special election runoff was a surprise to many. He was a Republican state legislator, finished second to Susan Wright in May and only narrowly made the runoff over a Democrat.
Party leaders in North Texas told CBS 11 News this week that Trump's endorsement of Wright may have motivated Democrats to vote for Ellzey.
"In that the Democrats have decided to support Ellzey in that race, frankly, putting out information saying they thought of him as being the lesser of two evils," Tarrant County Republican Party Chair Rick Barnes said.
"They were not excited to vote for only Republicans. There were no Democrats in the race. But they certainly were not interested in voting for somebody who Trump endorsed," Tarrant County Democratic Party Chair Dr. Allison Campolo said.
Trump endorsed Wright and recorded a robocall for her. Make America Great Action, a political action committee chaired by former Trump campaign manager Corey Lewandowski, plunged $100,000 into an ad buy over the weekend, in an effort to seal her victory.
Ellzey narrowly lost the GOP nomination for the seat in 2018. The North Texas district near Dallas has long been Republican territory. But Trump's support in the district has also plummeted: after winning it by double-digits in 2016, he carried it by just 3 percentage points last year, reflecting the trend of Texas' booming suburbs becoming more favorable territory for Democrats.
Ellzey did not distance himself from the former president. He instead sought to overcome the lack of Trump's backing by raising more money and touting other endorsements, including the support of former Texas Gov. Rick Perry.
(© Copyright 2021 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
