Mike Ezell

Walter Michael Ezell ( ; born April 6, 1959) is an American former law enforcement officer and politician serving as the U.S. representative for since 2023. A member of the Republican Party, he previously served as the sheriff of Jackson County from 2014 to 2022, where he focused on eliminating corruption and modernizing law enforcement operations.

A native of Pascagoula, Mississippi, Ezell earned a degree in criminal justice from the University of Southern Mississippi while attending night school. He began his law enforcement career in 1980 as a patrolman and later held leadership roles in the Pascagoula Police Department, the Ocean Springs Police Department, and the district attorney’s office. After winning a special election for sheriff in 2014, he was twice re-elected before entering Congress.

Ezell defeated incumbent representative Steven Palazzo in the 2022 Republican primary runoff amid ethics concerns surrounding Palazzo’s campaign finances. In Congress, he has focused on law enforcement funding, border security, and military support. He won re-election in 2024 by a wide margin and, for the 119th Congress, serves on the House Natural Resources and Transportation and Infrastructure Committees, chairing the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation.

Early life and education Ezell was born in Pascagoula, Mississippi on April 6, 1959, to S.H. "Buck" Ezell, a police officer, and Betty Ezell, secretary for the family church.

He graduated from Pascagoula High School in 1977.

Law enforcement career

Before becoming sheriff, Ezell served in law enforcement roles for over 35 years. Ezell attended the FBI National Academy in 1990 and became the captain of the Pascagoula detective department in 1992; he worked with the FBI on their Safe Streets Task Force. As sheriff, he worked to eliminate corruption, created a new training facility, and established a crime lab. Palazzo was considered vulnerable to losing his seat because an Office of Congressional Ethics report in 2021 alleged that he misused campaign funds. Palazzo was also criticized for his limited presence in the district, earning a nickname of "No-show Palazzo." 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. It was Palazzo's first primary run-off election. Following the poor showing for an incumbent, Palazzo agreed to debate Ezell, the first debate in 12 years for Palazzo.

Ezell won the June 28 primary runoff election 54% to 46% and defeated Democratic nominee and former Hattiesburg mayor Johnny DuPree in the November general election.

2024

Ezell ran for reelection in 2024 and faced a primary challenge from businessman Carl Boyanton and Army veteran Michael McGill. Boyanton donated $500,000 of his own money into his campaign and criticized Ezell of joining "the swamp", voting for Kevin McCarthy 16 times for speaker, and supporting vaccine mandates. Ezell was endorsed by former President Donald Trump, as well as signed the Americans for Tax Reform pledge. Despite Ezell entering the final weeks of the campaign with less money than Boyanton, he prevailed by over 50 points in the primary.

Tenure In the 118th Congress, Ezell sponsored 14 pieces of legislation and had House Resolution 106, which condemned efforts to defund police, pass the House; it was not taken up in the Senate. He cosponsored 220 pieces of legislation.

Committee assignments For the 119th Congress: Committee on Natural Resources Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries (Vice Chair) Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation (Chairman) Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management

Controversies On May 7, 2024, the Associated Press reported allegations that Congressman Mike Ezell assaulted an activist from CodePink as she asked about his support for a peace proposal for Gaza by slapping a cellular telephone from her hand as she was recording a confrontation with him.

Political positions While running for reelection in 2024, Ezell declared his support for further measures to protect first responders and increase military spending. He called for stronger border security, upholding "American family values," and supporting pro-life policies. He called for protection of Second Amendment gun rights.

He voiced support for the Jones Act during committee hearings he chaired about domestic ship building.

Personal life Ezell is married to Suzette Ezell. They have one daughter and one granddaughter.

Ezell is a Baptist and a member of First Baptist Church in Pascagoula, Mississippi.