Christian Ellis

Christian Ellis served in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve from 2000 to 2006. He earned a high school diploma from Oostburg High School and has attended Lakeland University. His career experience includes working as a small business owner.[1]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I grew up near Oostburg in rural Sheboygan County and have spent most of my adult life working, raising a family, and showing up in the same communities that I now hope to represent.

I was born in the old Plymouth Hospital in 1981 and raised in Oostburg, graduating from Oostburg High School in 2000. After high school, I served in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve while attending college before I was deployed to Iraq in 2004.

Today, my wife and I are raising four kids in Sheboygan Falls. Our daily schedules revolve around school, youth sports, and the many practical realities that families face. Professionally, I run a small recruiting business in town. The work keeps me connected to manufacturers, small businesses, and working families across Wisconsin.

My community involvement began with coaching local youth soccer, something that I still do to this day. Over the years, that work has expanded into broader community service. I served as the treasurer for the citizen committee that helped pass the Sheboygan Falls middle school referendum and was involved in organizing a new recreational soccer program in Sheboygan Falls. I am currently serving my third term on the county board.

I am running as an Independent for Wisconsin State Senate because I believe our state needs practical leadership rooted in real communities. We need more people who are not driven by any one particular ideology, but rather by their love for their community, to run for something bigger than themselves.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Affordability & Cost of Living:

The rising cost of living affects nearly every family in Wisconsin. Whether it's housing, childcare, healthcare, property taxes, groceries, insurance, or utilities, many people feel like they're working harder just to stay in the same place. I believe government should focus less on partisan fights and more on reducing the financial pressures that make it harder for families to build stable, secure lives.

Affordability is not one issue. It is the result of dozens of decisions. I believe we should evaluate policies by asking a practical question: Will this make life more affordable, stable, and secure for the people who live and work in District 9?Government Accountability:

Government exists to serve the public, not the other way around. People don't expect government to be perfect, but they do expect it to be honest, transparent, responsive, and responsible with taxpayer dollars. Too often, citizens feel disconnected from the decisions that affect their lives and uncertain about who is accountable when things go wrong. I believe trust in government is earned through transparency, communication, and results.

Government accountability is about ensuring that public institutions remain worthy of the public's trust. That means transparent government, responsible spending, measurable results, and leaders who are willing to explain their decisions and stand behind them.Strong Communities & Local Infrastructure:

Strong communities don't happen by accident. They're built over time by people who invest in their neighbors, support local institutions, and work together to solve problems. They depend on strong schools, reliable infrastructure, safe neighborhoods, effective local government, thriving businesses, and residents who are willing to get involved.

Throughout this campaign, I've spent time meeting with local officials, nonprofit leaders, firefighters, educators, employers, volunteers, and community members across District 9. While every community is different, one theme comes up again and again: people want their communities to remain places where families can live, work, and thrive.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I care deeply about the state of public education in this state. Our schools do much more than educate students. They help prepare the next generation for work and citizenship, support families, strengthen local communities, and contribute to economic growth. Strong public schools remain one of the best investments we can make in the future of Wisconsin.

Throughout this campaign, I have spent time listening to educators, administrators, school board members, parents, and community leaders across District 9. While every district faces unique challenges, several themes come up repeatedly: rising costs, workforce shortages, increasing student needs, and growing pressure on local property taxpayers.