Mike Ezell

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
Incumbent
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 (1959-04-06) April 6, 1959 (age 64) Pascagoula, Mississippi, U.S.
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Suzette
Children	1
Education	University of Southern Mississippi (BA)
Website	House website

Early life and education

Ezell 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. He also graduated from the Mississippi Law Enforcement Officers Training Academy in 1981 and FBI National Academy in 1990.^[2]

Career

Law enforcement officer

Ezell served in the Pascagoula Police Department, first as a patrolman in 1980, then as captain of the detective division in 1992, and then as chief of police for Ocean Springs, Mississippi, from 1998 to 2000.^{[citation needed]}

Following 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

Elections

2022

See also: 2022 United States House of Representatives elections in Mississippi § District 4

In 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

For the 118th Congress:^[11]

• Committee on Homeland Security
  • Subcommittee on Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Protection
  • Subcommittee on Oversight, Investigations, and Accountability
• Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
  • Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation
  • Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management
  • Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment

Political positions

Ezell voted to provide Israel with support following 2023 Hamas attack on Israel.^[12][13]

Personal life

Ezell is married to Suzette Ezell. They have one daughter and one granddaughter.^[14]

Ezell is a Baptist.^[15]

References

1. "Mississippi New Members 2023". November 17, 2022. Retrieved November 18, 2022.
2. "Biography – Sheriff, "Mike" Ezell". co.jackson.ms.us. Jackson County, Mississippi. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
3. "https://twitter.com/RepEzell/status/1724177932581470252?s=20". X (formerly Twitter). Retrieved November 13, 2023. {{cite web}}: External link in |title= (help)
4. "Mike Ezell sworn in as Jackson County's new sheriff". gulflive.com. December 1, 2014. Retrieved October 13, 2022.
5. Grace, Caray (December 2, 2014). "Jackson County swears in new sheriff". Wlox.com. Retrieved October 13, 2022.
6. "Congress: South Mississippi sheriff to challenge U.S. Rep. Steven Palazzo in 2022". Clarionledger.com. Retrieved November 9, 2022.
7. "Palazzo, Ezell head to runoff for 4th Congressional District Republican nomination". WLOX. June 8, 2022. Retrieved November 1, 2022.
8. Pender, Geoff (June 9, 2022). "Every Republican challenger of Rep. Steven Palazzo endorses his runoff opponent Mike Ezell". Mississippi Today. Retrieved November 1, 2022.
9. Weissert, Will (June 28, 2022). "Rep. Michael Guest, Sheriff Mike Ezell win Mississippi runoffs". PBS NewsHour. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
10. 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.
11. "Mike Ezell". Clerk of the United States House of Representatives. Retrieved August 17, 2023.
12. 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.
13. Washington, U. S. Capitol Room H154; p:225-7000, DC 20515-6601 (October 25, 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. Retrieved October 30, 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
14. "Meet Mike". Mike Ezell for Congress. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
15. "Religious affiliation of members of 118th Congress" (PDF). Pew Research Center. Retrieved April 8, 2023.

External links

• 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

U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Steven Palazzo	Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Mississippi's 4th congressional district 2023–present	Incumbent
U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial)
Preceded by Chuck Edwards	United States representatives by seniority 377th	Succeeded by Valerie Foushee