Renee Ellmers
Encyclopedia
Renee Jacisin Ellmers is the U.S. Representative
for . She is a member of the Republican Party
. Ellmers defeated seven-term Democratic incumbent Bob Etheridge
by 1,489 votes, confirmed after a recount.
, Michigan
, but moved to Madison Heights
as a child, when her father got a job in the automobile industry. She graduated from Madison High School
. Ellmers paid her way through Oakland University
by working various jobs, training as a medical assistant. In 1990, she graduated with a Bachelor of Science
degree in Nursing
. Ellmers worked as a nurse in Beaumont Hospital
's surgical intensive care unit. In North Carolina, she was clinical director of the Trinity Wound Care Center in Dunn
.
, which she opposed. She became involved in local Republican politics and joined Americans for Prosperity
, a free-market political advocacy group. She sought the Republican Party nomination for Congress in North Carolina's 2nd congressional district
, which was then held by seven-term incumbent Bob Etheridge
. She faced car dealer Todd Gailas and retired businessman Frank Deatrich in the May 4, 2010 Republican primary. She raised and spent more money than her opponents, and easily won the nomination.
In June, a physical altercation between U.S. Congressman Bob Etheridge
and two young men claiming to be students working on a project (but in reality they were sent by Republican strategists) was posted to the internet. The previously obscure Ellmers was highlighted by conservative blogs such as RedState
and the National Review
's The Corner. Donations increased markedly, and a SurveyUSA
poll showed Ellmers ahead by one percent Ultimately, the Ellmers campaign would highlight the incident in a number of televised negative attack ads against Etheridge. In August, Renee Ellmers received an endorsement from former Governor of Alaska Sarah Palin
on August 18 through Facebook
, citing Ellmers' experience in the health care industry. Palin endorsed Ellmers along with three other women, on the 90th anniversary of women's suffrage in the United States.
Ellmers received national media attention in September when she released a television ad condemning the Park51 community center in Manhattan
, and Congressman Etheridge for not voicing an opinion on the subject. The ad was criticized as "the most baldly anti-Muslim ad of the year" by Salon and "bigotry" by a writer for the Washington Post
. Nevertheless, Ellmers led in polling and fundraising prior to the election.
On election day, November 2, 2010, Ellmers was declared the winner by the media and a recount conducted November 17 and 18 confirmed that she defeated Bob Etheridge
during the general election.
. After the birth of their son Ben, the family moved to Dunn
, North Carolina
, where Ellmers and her husband ran a practice.
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
for . She is a member of the Republican Party
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
. Ellmers defeated seven-term Democratic incumbent Bob Etheridge
Bob Etheridge
Bobby Ray "Bob" Etheridge is the former U.S. Representative for , serving from 1997 until 2011. He is a member of the Democratic Party. He was defeated in the 2010 election by Renee Ellmers.-Early life, education and career:...
by 1,489 votes, confirmed after a recount.
Early life, education, and nursing career
Ellmers was born in IronwoodIronwood, Michigan
Ironwood is a city in Gogebic County in the U.S. state of Michigan, about south of Lake Superior. The population was 6,293 at the 2000 census. The city is on US 2 and is situated opposite the Montreal River from Hurley, Wisconsin. It is the westernmost city in Michigan, situated on the same line...
, Michigan
Michigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
, but moved to Madison Heights
Madison Heights, Michigan
Madison Heights is a city in Oakland County of the U.S. state of Michigan. It is a suburb of Detroit. As of the 2010 census, its population was 29,694.- History :...
as a child, when her father got a job in the automobile industry. She graduated from Madison High School
Madison High School (Madison Heights, Michigan)
For schools with a similar name, see Madison High School.Madison High School is a public high school located in Madison Heights, Michigan in Oakland County. Its school mascot is the Eagle.-External links:*...
. Ellmers paid her way through Oakland University
Oakland University
Oakland University is a public university co-founded by Matilda Dodge Wilson and John A. Hannah whose campus is located in central Oakland County, Michigan, United States in the cities of Auburn Hills and Rochester Hills. It is the only major research university in Oakland County, from which OU...
by working various jobs, training as a medical assistant. In 1990, she graduated with a Bachelor of Science
Bachelor of Science
A Bachelor of Science is an undergraduate academic degree awarded for completed courses that generally last three to five years .-Australia:In Australia, the BSc is a 3 year degree, offered from 1st year on...
degree in Nursing
Nursing
Nursing is a healthcare profession focused on the care of individuals, families, and communities so they may attain, maintain, or recover optimal health and quality of life from conception to death....
. Ellmers worked as a nurse in Beaumont Hospital
William Beaumont Hospital
Beaumont Hospital is a regional medical system in the greater Detroit, Michigan area. It first opened with a 238 bed hospital in Royal Oak, Michigan in 1955...
's surgical intensive care unit. In North Carolina, she was clinical director of the Trinity Wound Care Center in Dunn
Dunn, North Carolina
Dunn is a city in Harnett County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 9,196 at the 2000 census.It is the birthplace of early an rock and roll guitar player, Link Wray, and General William C. Lee, father of the American Army Airborne. The city's slogan is "It's all right here." The...
.
2010 election
Ellmers became involved in politics after the passage of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care ActPatient Protection and Affordable Care Act
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act is a United States federal statute signed into law by President Barack Obama on March 23, 2010. The law is the principal health care reform legislation of the 111th United States Congress...
, which she opposed. She became involved in local Republican politics and joined Americans for Prosperity
Americans for Prosperity
Americans for Prosperity is a Washington, D.C.–based political advocacy group. According to their literature, they promote economic policy that supports business, and restrains regulation by government...
, a free-market political advocacy group. She sought the Republican Party nomination for Congress in North Carolina's 2nd congressional district
North Carolina's 2nd congressional district
North Carolina's 2nd congressional district is located in the central and eastern parts of the state. Today, the district, which is represented by Republican Rep...
, which was then held by seven-term incumbent Bob Etheridge
Bob Etheridge
Bobby Ray "Bob" Etheridge is the former U.S. Representative for , serving from 1997 until 2011. He is a member of the Democratic Party. He was defeated in the 2010 election by Renee Ellmers.-Early life, education and career:...
. She faced car dealer Todd Gailas and retired businessman Frank Deatrich in the May 4, 2010 Republican primary. She raised and spent more money than her opponents, and easily won the nomination.
In June, a physical altercation between U.S. Congressman Bob Etheridge
Bob Etheridge
Bobby Ray "Bob" Etheridge is the former U.S. Representative for , serving from 1997 until 2011. He is a member of the Democratic Party. He was defeated in the 2010 election by Renee Ellmers.-Early life, education and career:...
and two young men claiming to be students working on a project (but in reality they were sent by Republican strategists) was posted to the internet. The previously obscure Ellmers was highlighted by conservative blogs such as RedState
RedState
RedState is a conservative American political weblog.The site is currently a subsidiary of Eagle Publishing, Inc., a conservative publishing house which also owns Regnery Publishing and the weekly magazine Human Events...
and the National Review
National Review
National Review is a biweekly magazine founded by the late author William F. Buckley, Jr., in 1955 and based in New York City. It describes itself as "America's most widely read and influential magazine and web site for conservative news, commentary, and opinion."Although the print version of the...
's The Corner. Donations increased markedly, and a SurveyUSA
SurveyUSA
SurveyUSA is a polling firm in the United States. It conducts market research for corporations and interest groups, but is best known for conducting opinion polls for various political offices and questions...
poll showed Ellmers ahead by one percent Ultimately, the Ellmers campaign would highlight the incident in a number of televised negative attack ads against Etheridge. In August, Renee Ellmers received an endorsement from former Governor of Alaska Sarah Palin
Sarah Palin
Sarah Louise Palin is an American politician, commentator and author. As the Republican Party nominee for Vice President in the 2008 presidential election, she was the first Alaskan on the national ticket of a major party and first Republican woman nominated for the vice-presidency.She was...
on August 18 through Facebook
Facebook
Facebook is a social networking service and website launched in February 2004, operated and privately owned by Facebook, Inc. , Facebook has more than 800 million active users. Users must register before using the site, after which they may create a personal profile, add other users as...
, citing Ellmers' experience in the health care industry. Palin endorsed Ellmers along with three other women, on the 90th anniversary of women's suffrage in the United States.
Ellmers received national media attention in September when she released a television ad condemning the Park51 community center in Manhattan
Manhattan
Manhattan is the oldest and the most densely populated of the five boroughs of New York City. Located primarily on the island of Manhattan at the mouth of the Hudson River, the boundaries of the borough are identical to those of New York County, an original county of the state of New York...
, and Congressman Etheridge for not voicing an opinion on the subject. The ad was criticized as "the most baldly anti-Muslim ad of the year" by Salon and "bigotry" by a writer for the Washington Post
The Washington Post
The Washington Post is Washington, D.C.'s largest newspaper and its oldest still-existing paper, founded in 1877. Located in the capital of the United States, The Post has a particular emphasis on national politics. D.C., Maryland, and Virginia editions are printed for daily circulation...
. Nevertheless, Ellmers led in polling and fundraising prior to the election.
On election day, November 2, 2010, Ellmers was declared the winner by the media and a recount conducted November 17 and 18 confirmed that she defeated Bob Etheridge
Bob Etheridge
Bobby Ray "Bob" Etheridge is the former U.S. Representative for , serving from 1997 until 2011. He is a member of the Democratic Party. He was defeated in the 2010 election by Renee Ellmers.-Early life, education and career:...
during the general election.
Tenure
In October 2011, Ellmers was among the bottom list of candidates cash haul, having raised $92,000 over the past year.Committee assignments
- Committee on Foreign Affairs
- Subcommittee on the Middle East and South AsiaUnited States House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Middle East and South AsiaThe U.S. House Subcommittee on the Middle East and South Asia is a subcommittee within the House Foreign Affairs Committee.-Jurisdiction:The subcommittee is one of five with what the committees calls "regional jurisdiction" over a specific area of the globe...
- Subcommittee on Terrorism, Nonproliferation, and TradeUnited States House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Terrorism, Nonproliferation, and TradeThe U.S. House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Terrorism, Nonproliferation, and Trade is a standing subcommittee within the House Foreign Affairs Committee.-Jurisdiction:...
- Subcommittee on the Middle East and South Asia
- Committee on AgricultureUnited States House Committee on AgricultureThe U.S. House Committee on Agriculture, or Agriculture Committee is a standing committee of the United States House of Representatives. The House Committee on Agriculture has general jurisdiction over federal agriculture policy and oversight of some federal agencies, and it can recommend funding...
- Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities and Risk ManagementUnited States House Agriculture Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities and Risk ManagementThe House Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities and Risk Management is a subcommittee within the House Agriculture Committee. The subcommittee oversees program and markets for major commercial crops, such as cotton, cottonseed, wheat, feed grains , soybeans, oilseeds, rice, dry beans, peas, and...
- Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities and Risk Management
- Committee on Small BusinessUnited States House Committee on Small BusinessThe United States House Committee on Small Business is a standing committee of the United States House of Representatives.-History:On December 4, 1941, the U. S...
- Subcommittee on Agriculture, Energy and Trade
- Subcommittee on Healthcare and Technology (Chairwoman)
- Subcommittee on Contracting and Workforce
Personal life
Ellmers met her husband Brent Ellmers, a surgeon, while working at Beaumont HospitalWilliam Beaumont Hospital
Beaumont Hospital is a regional medical system in the greater Detroit, Michigan area. It first opened with a 238 bed hospital in Royal Oak, Michigan in 1955...
. After the birth of their son Ben, the family moved to Dunn
Dunn, North Carolina
Dunn is a city in Harnett County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 9,196 at the 2000 census.It is the birthplace of early an rock and roll guitar player, Link Wray, and General William C. Lee, father of the American Army Airborne. The city's slogan is "It's all right here." The...
, North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
, where Ellmers and her husband ran a practice.
External links
- Congresswoman Renee Ellmers official U.S. House site
- Renee Ellmers for Congress official campaign site