Longtime State Legislator Mike Ellis Dies At 77

Mike Ellis, a longtime state legislator, died Friday at age 77.

Ellis, who served as state Senate president from 2011 to mid-2012 and again from 2013 to 2015, was known for his fiery speeches and his mastery of the Capitol intrigue.

Ellis served the Fox Cities for 12 years in the state Assembly and 32 years in the Senate, retiring in 2014. The Neenah Republican was known for his booming speeches, like this one from 2005: “Current law has taken many noble, good people and it has corrupted them on both sides of aisle. The system corrupts,” Ellis said.

Few knew state government better than Ellis and he wasn’t afraid to use that power. He was sometimes an adversary to GOP leaders like Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald even if they’d end up voting the same way.

Lawmakers from both parties sang Ellis’ praises on Friday. Fitzgerald issued a statement saying everything he learned about leadership and politics he learned from Ellis.

“Mike’s personality and character were only outmatched by his dedication to public service,” Fitzgerald’s statement read. “He ferociously fought for his constituents and his district, even when it meant challenging his own caucus or negotiating a deal that seemed impossible to reach.”

State Sen. Fred Risser, D-Madison, called himself Ellis’ political adversary, but said they were private friends the entire time. Democratic Party of Wisconsin Chair Martha Laning said the Legislature had seen many greats, but the passing of Ellis was a terrible loss.

Ellis died at his home. Ellis’ brother, Mark, said Ellis appears to have died in his sleep.