Friday Ellis
| Oliver Friday Ellis, Jr. | |
 | |
| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office July 21, 2020 | |
| Preceded by | Jamie Mayo |
|---|---|
| Born | February 15, 1977 Place of birth missing |
| Nationality | American |
| Political party | Republican-turned-Independent |
| Spouse(s) | Ashley Rene Ellis |
| Children | At least four children Parents: |
| Residence | Monroe, Louisiana |
| Occupation | Businessman |
Oliver Friday Ellis, Jr., known as Friday Ellis (born February 15, 1977), is the mayor of Monroe, Louisiana, a Republican-turned-Independent.
Background
Ellis is the son of Oliver Gus "Friday" Ellis, Sr. (1934-2008), a native of St. Joseph in Tensas Parish who is interred in Rayville in Richland Parish. The father's obituary does not mention a wife. It is unclear whether Mayor Ellis' middle name is Gus or "Friday." Mayor Ellis has three siblings, Michael Wayne Ellis and wife, Donna of Girard, also in Richland Parish; Patricia Ellis Jones of Rayville, and Angela Sanford and husband, Ronnie, of Girard.[1]The mayor is registered to vote under the name "Oliver Ellis," according to records of the Louisiana Secretary of State. Ellis also formerly resided in Weston, Missouri, and Barstow, California, dates not specified.[2]
Career
A businessman, Ellis won the mayoral election held on July 11, 2020, postponed from the previously scheduled April 4 because of the coronavirus pandemic. He unseated the 19-year incumbent, Jamie Mayo, an African-American Democrat who was seeking a sixth term. Ellis, who is white, polled 6,835 votes (52 percent) to Mayo's 4,987 (38 percent). The remaining 10 percent of the vote was divided by three other candidates.[3] Mayo is a strong liberal who once gave a "Key to the city" to radical Islamist Louis Farrakhan.[4]
The Ouachita Citizen endorsed Ellis:Economic growth in Monroe is virtually invisible. Mayo says he’s in charge of economic development for the city. Accordingly, he bears responsibility for Monroe’s abysmal economic activity, which without a doubt has fueled the city’s loss in population for the past two decades, now far below 50,000 residents (47,000 in a 2019 estimate). Since the mid-2000s we have witnessed the closing of the Guide plant, State Farm’s Mid South Regional office and most recently, Monroe’s only Fortune 150 company, CenturyLink, began moving employees out of the city at a fast clip to CenturyLink offices in other cities in other states. In the not-too-distant past, CenturyLink employed more than 2,300 people here. Today, that figure is possibly as low as 1,500 workers and declining. There’s no denying it. There’s also no denying that while CenturyLink claims Monroe is home for its corporate headquarters, the decision makers. …[4]
Friday's oath was administered by his long-term friend from Start in Richland Parish, Judge Will Rhymes Barham of the Louisiana 5th Judicial District, a Republican. Ellis said that he will try to heal the division between the northern and southern portions of Monroe and represent all citizens equally. In the 2010 census, the city was 64 percent black. Ellis became emotional as he spoke of his expectations for a united Monroe:
Today, we are all embarking on a new journey together – one that some of us have dreamed about, some of us believed would never take place, and some of us have never given up the hope. I share high hopes today with you, high hopes for a city that is safe, high hopes for a city that is prospering and high hopes for a city that provides the best service for all of its residents.”[5]
In 2022-2023, Ellis beat back an attempt to recall him from office.[6]
In Ellis' first term, pay increases for police and fire personnel were enacted, and state-of-the-art technology seeking to reduce crime was implemented. He also collaborated with regional mayors and legislators to secure funds to promote a passenger rail service, flood mitigation and major drainage projects, and improvements to Monroe recreation centers and zoo.[7]
2024 reelection
When he runs for reelection the March 23, 2024, primary election, Ellis will face two Democrats, former Mayor Jamie Mayo and Betty Ward-Cooper, an African-American member of the Monroe City School Board and a former professor at the University of Louisiana at Monroe.[8]
In his bid to reclaim the mayoral office, Mayo described himself as "the hunter" with Ellis as "the huntee," the reverse situation from 2020. Mayo said that Ellis' record is "not very good, especially as it relates to crime and economic development, because there hasn't been any announcement, whatsoever, about anybody [any business] coming, and one of the reasons is because of the ills that we have in the community that need to be addressed − education and the violent crime rate."[7]
On March 23, 2024, Ellis scored a second term as he handily defeated Mayo in their rematch. Ellis received 6,636 votes (64 percent) to Mayo's 3,162 (30 percent); the remaining 6 percent of the ballots was held by Ward-Cooper. Voter turnout was 33.9 percent.[9]
See also
- Staci Albritton Mitchell, mayor of neighboring West Monroe
References
- ↑ Oliver Gus "Friday" Ellis. findagrave.com. Retrieved on July 22, 2020.
- ↑ Friday Ellis. Intelius.com. Retrieved on July 22, 2020.
- ↑ Louisiana Secretary of State, Election Returns (Ouachita Parish), July 11, 2020.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Editorial: Monroe needs Friday Ellis. The Ouachita Citizen (hannapub.com) (June 17, 2020). Retrieved on July 22, 2020.
- ↑ Ashley Mott (July 21, 2020). Friday Ellis inaugurated as new mayor of Monroe. Monroe News Star. Retrieved on July 22, 2020.
- ↑ Friday Ellis. Ballotpedia. Retrieved on November 29, 2023.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Ian Robinson (January 3, 2024). Three qualify to run for Monroe Mayor in 2024, including incumbent and former mayor. Monroe News Star.
- ↑ Ian Robinson (October 19, 2023). Betty Ward-Cooper enters Monroe mayor's race. Monroe News Star.
- ↑ Ian Robinson (March 23, 2024). Monroe Mayor Friday Ellis wins another term. Monroe News Star.
