Kimberly Ellis

Kimberly Ellis is an American activist and has led as Executive Director of Emerge California since 2010. Ellis is considered a progressive Democrat^[1] and formerly served on the California Democratic Party Finance Committee and also on the California Democratic Party's African American Caucus as Recording Secretary.^[2]

Ellis ran for the Chair of the California Democratic Party in 2017.^[3] She was supported by progressive groups like California Nurses Association, which supported Bernie Sanders in the Democratic Presidential primary, and Our Revolution, which grew out of the Sanders campaign. She was narrowly defeated by Eric Bauman, who has been described as a "consummate party insider." News reports have described the contest as being between "old school" Democrats vs "new school" Democrats in the progressive spirit of Bernie Sanders. Although Ellis supported Clinton in the Democratic primaries and in the 2016 general election, she has been embraced by Bernie supporters as "leading an insurgency against the party establishment."^[3] The most contentious issue, according to the Associated Press, was single-payer health care, which Ellis supported and which she claims that the California Democratic Party leadership opposed, despite the fact that the party has actually endorsed Senate Bill 562 and each of the Party's officers have publicly announced their support for SB562 and for single-payer healthcare.^[4]

Early life and education

Ellis was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee and attended nine schools during her childhood as her father moved regularly in his career as a military officer. She attended schools in six different US states and two countries before she graduated from Antilles High School in San Juan, Puerto Rico on Fort Buchanan.

Ellis attended Jacksonville University and earned a bachelor's degree in English. She then attended John F. Kennedy School of Law and earned a juris doctorate. Ellis has not passed the California Bar Exam, and has not been admitted to practice law in California.^[5]

Activism and political career

Ellis has worked in the private and non-profit sectors, and has experience in state government.^[6]

In 2009, the Mayor appointed Ellis to the Community Development Commission in Richmond as Commissioner.^[6]

Ellis concurrently worked at Emerge America’s national headquarters as the National Affiliate Director, and in 2010 she became the Executive Director of the California chapter, Emerge California.^[6]

Ellis is a Truman National Security Project political partner.^[6]

Ellis has spoken in favor of progressive causes^[1] and has stated that Democrats need to do more to address poverty as well as push harder to adopt single-payer healthcare.^[3] Ellis actively supported Hillary Clinton during the presidential campaign.

She formerly served on the California Democratic Party Finance Committee and as the California Democratic Party's African American Caucus Recording Secretary.^[2] Because her appointment as a delegate came from Hilary Crosby, a "superdelegate" who is no longer in office, Ellis is no longer eligible to serve on any committee or in any leadership role.

Ellis was a contender for the Chair of the California Democratic Party in 2017.^[3] She was endorsed by seven members of US Congress, several unions and organizations including the National Nurses United union, Lt. Governor Gavin Newsom,^[7] dozens of local elected and emeritus officials, and dozens of California Democratic Party leaders.^[8][9][10] Most of the graduates of Emerge California did not endorse Ellis, and actually endorsed Ellis' opponent. Ellis lost the election by 2.12%.

Honors

Ellis was the Women’s History Month Honoree by the San Francisco Commission and Department on the Status of Women in 2011 and 2015.

Ellis received honors on International Women’s Day in 2012 by the Global Arts and Education.

Kimberly was named one of CalNewsroom.com’s 100 Most Overlooked People in California Politics in 2014 for her work electing Democratic women in California. CalNewsroom.com’s John Hirabe lauded Ellis as “where the rubber meets the road in electing Democratic women” in California.

In 2012, Kimberly was awarded the Annie M. Powell Community Leadership Award by the Global Arts and Education and Women’s Intercultural Network in celebration of International Women’s Day for her work with Emerge California.^[6]

Personal life

Kimberly has lived in California for over two decades.^[6] She lives in Richmond, California, and has two children.^[3]

References