Julie Ellsworth
2019 - Present
2027
6
Julie Ellsworth (Republican Party) is the Idaho Treasurer. She assumed office on January 7, 2019. Her current term ends on January 4, 2027.
Ellsworth (Republican Party) is running for re-election for Idaho Treasurer. She declared candidacy for the 2026 election.[source]
Ellsworth is a former Republican member of the Idaho House of Representatives, representing District 18A from 2010 to 2012.
Biography
Ellsworth was born in Idaho. She earned a bachelor's degree in education from Brigham Young University. Ellsworth's career experience includes working as a public school teacher, a civil mediator and facilitator, and a business consultant. Ellsworth also helped manage the Ellsworth Family Farm & Ranch.[1][2]
Political career
Idaho Treasurer (2019-present)
Ellsworth first assumed office as Idaho treasurer on January 7, 2019, having won in the general election on November 6, 2018.
Idaho House of Representatives (1996-2006)
Ellsworth represented District 18A in the Idaho House of Representatives from 2010 to 2012.
Elections
2026
See also: Idaho Treasurer election, 2026
General election
The general election will occur on November 3, 2026.
General election for Idaho Treasurer
Incumbent Julie Ellsworth and Kevin Jones are running in the general election for Idaho Treasurer on November 3, 2026.
Candidate | ||
 | Julie Ellsworth (R) | |
| Kevin Jones (D) | ||
| ||||
 = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Endorsements
Ballotpedia is gathering information about candidate endorsements. To send us an endorsement, click here.
2022
See also: Idaho Treasurer election, 2022
General election
General election for Idaho Treasurer
Incumbent Julie Ellsworth defeated Deborah Silver in the general election for Idaho Treasurer on November 8, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Julie Ellsworth (R) | 71.1 | 412,502 |
 | Deborah Silver (D) | 28.9 | 167,596 | |
| Total votes: 580,098 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Jill Ellsworth (D)
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Idaho Treasurer
Jill Ellsworth advanced from the Democratic primary for Idaho Treasurer on May 17, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Jill Ellsworth | 100.0 | 32,053 | |
| Total votes: 32,053 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Idaho Treasurer
Incumbent Julie Ellsworth advanced from the Republican primary for Idaho Treasurer on May 17, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Julie Ellsworth | 100.0 | 218,227 |
| Total votes: 218,227 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
2018
- See also: Idaho Treasurer election, 2018
General election
General election for Idaho Treasurer
Julie Ellsworth won election in the general election for Idaho Treasurer on November 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Julie Ellsworth (R) | 100.0 | 465,109 |
| Total votes: 465,109 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Idaho Treasurer
Julie Ellsworth defeated Tom Kealey and Vicky McIntyre in the Republican primary for Idaho Treasurer on May 15, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Julie Ellsworth | 36.8 | 60,482 |
 | Tom Kealey | 33.8 | 55,657 | |
| Vicky McIntyre | 29.4 | 48,310 | ||
| Total votes: 164,449 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
2012
Ellsworth lost her bid for re-election in the 2012 election for Idaho House of Representatives District 18A. She was unopposed in the Republican primary and defeated by Janie Ward-Engelking (D) in the general election on November 6, 2012.[3][4]
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic |  Janie Ward-Engelking |
55.3% | 11,693 | |
| Republican | Julie Ellsworth Incumbent | 44.7% | 9,434 | |
| Total Votes | 21,127 | |||
2010
Ellsworth was unopposed in the primary on May 25th. She defeated Democrat Janie Ward-Engelking in the general election on November 2, 2010. The race was close (an estimated 9 vote spread), so Ward-Engelking called for a recount. After the recount, Ellsworth lost one vote, but still won the election[5][6]
| Idaho House of Representatives, District 18A (2010) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidates | Votes | Percent | ||
| Julie Ellsworth (R)
|
6,429 | 50.0% | ||
| Janie Ward-Engelking (D) | 6,420 | 50.0% | ||
Campaign themes
2026
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Julie Ellsworth has not yet completed Ballotpedia's 2026 Candidate Connection survey. If you are Julie Ellsworth, click here to fill out Ballotpedia's 2026 Candidate Connection survey.
Who fills out Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey?
Any candidate running for elected office, at any level, can complete Ballotpedia's Candidate Survey. Completing the survey will update the candidate's Ballotpedia profile, letting voters know who they are and what they stand for. More than 23,000 candidates have taken Ballotpedia's candidate survey since we launched it in 2015. Learn more about the survey here.
Help improve Ballotpedia - send us candidate contact info.
2022
Julie Ellsworth did not complete Ballotpedia's 2022 Candidate Connection survey.
Issues
ESG
| Environmental, social, and corporate governance |
|---|
|
| Select a topic from the dropdown below to learn more. |
Ellsworth took positions in opposition to environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG), an approach to investing and corporate decision-making.
State financial officers, including treasurers, auditors, and controllers, are responsible for auditing other government offices, managing payroll, and overseeing pensions. In some states, these financial officers are also responsible for investing state retirement and trust funds.
Opposition to Morningstar ratings of Israel investments (August 2022)
In late August 2022, Ellsworth and 17 other members of the State Financial Officers Foundation (SFOF) co-signed a letter addressed to the Morningstar investment rating service expressing their “serious concern regarding reports that Morningstar, Inc. (Morningstar), through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Sustainalytics, negatively rates firms connected to Israel in apparent alignment with the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement.” The letter said the BDS movement was “antithetical to the global causes of peace, democracy, and human rights” and asked Morningstar to take corrective action immediately to terminate all research and ratings products that treat Israel-connected companies differently than companies operating in other free democracies.”[7]
Opposition to SEC proposal to mandate ESG reporting (June 2022)
In June 2022, Ellsworth and 22 other state financial officials submitted a comment to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) opposing a rule proposal titled the “Enhancement and Standardization of Climate-Related Disclosures for Investors.” The Pittsburgh Business Times reported the SEC rule “would become some of the first mandatory environmental, social and governance (ESG) reporting requirements for U.S. companies, requiring the disclosure of climate-related risk information in registration statements and periodic reports.”[8][9]
“We have watched with dismay as the Commission and other federal commissions and boards have proposed rules and policies that promote political causes that will adversely affect public finance and retirement income,” wrote the state financial officers in the letter. “The Proposed Rule is another such rule.” [10]
Ellsworth said, “I am proud to have signed this letter to the SEC highlighting eight concerns with the proposed ESG disclosure rule, “The Enhancement and Standardization of Climate-Related Disclosures for Investors. The SEC protects investors by enforcing our nation's securities laws, taking action against wrongdoers, & overseeing our securities markets & firms to ensure that investors are treated fairly & honestly. These rules lie outside of their scope.”[11]
Letter regarding use of ESG criteria by S&P Global Ratings (May 2022)
In May 2022, Ellsworth was one of ten Idaho officials who signed a letter sent “on behalf of the State of Idaho” to the leadership of S&P Global Ratings, opposing the firm’s policy of publishing “ESG credit indicators as part of its credit ratings for states and state subdivisions.” Idaho Gov. Brad Little (R), the leadership of both the Idaho House and Senate, and the entire Idaho Congressional delegation signed the letter.[12]
Ellsworth said, “When Idaho’s finances are evaluated fairly on legitimate indicators, we do incredibly well. But the use of ESG criteria invites serious concern about what factors will now be prioritized, how they’ll be evaluated, and by whom. States that don’t go along with these new priorities could see their ratings downgraded, despite being on excellent financial footing. It’s a step in the wrong direction and could cost Idaho taxpayers millions of dollars.”[13]
Letter to Department of Labor regarding use of ESG criteria in ERISA decisions (May 2022)
In May 2022, Ellsworth and 37 state officials from 23 states signed a letter to the U.S. Department of Labor Employment Benefits Security Administration to oppose the implementation of a proposed agency rule. The proposed rule would allow fiduciaries of private pension plans governed by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) to “make investment decisions that reflect climate change and other environmental, social, or governance (“ESG”) considerations, including climate-related financial risk, and choose economically targeted investments (“ETIs”) selected, in part, for benefits apart from the investment return.”[14]
The signatories objected to the rule, writing that it “would irrationally require fiduciaries to elevate immaterial and speculative risks in employee retirement savings investment decisions” where instead the fiduciaries should be “considering only the material financial or pecuniary factors of each potential investment.”[15]
Ellsworth's office released the following statement online: “The Department of Labor's Employee Benefits Security Administration proposed rule threatens Americans' retirement funds by prioritizing 'speculative and immaterial risks' from climate change over real returns."[16]
Letter to Unilever CEO regarding Ben & Jerry’s anti-Israel policy (December 2021)
In July 2021, American ice cream maker Ben & Jerry’s announced it was ending sales of its products in what it called the “occupied Palestinian territory.” In response, Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said Ben & Jerry’s had become the “anti-Israel ice cream.”[17]
Ben & Jerry’s is a subsidiary of Unilever, PLC, a publicly traded multinational consumer products conglomerate.
On December 9, 2021, Ellsworth was one of six other state treasurers co-signing a letter sent by Arizona State Treasurer Kimberly Yee to Unilever CEO Alan Jope, accusing him of attempting to “deflect responsibility for Ben & Jerry’s boycott by suggesting that you have no authority over your subsidiary’s decision in this case.” The letter cited two law professors who had reviewed the Ben & Jerry’s acquisition agreement and found that it required Ben & Jerry’s to “help Unilever sell the premium ice cream in Israel.” The treasurers asked Jope to provide “full clarification and transparency regarding Unilever’s ability to override the discriminatory boycott of Israel initiated by Ben & Jerry’s.”[18]
In June 2022, Unilever announced it was selling the Israeli rights to the ice cream to American Quality Products (AQP), allowing sales to resume in Israel under the new label. In a Twitter statement, Ben & Jerry’s expressed its disagreement with the policy change: “While our parent company has taken this decision, we do not agree with it. Unilever’s arrangement means Ben & Jerry’s in Israel will be owned and operated by AQP. Our company will no longer profit from Ben & Jerry’s in Israel.”[19]
Opposition to U.S. Department of Labor ESG rules (December 2021)
In December 2021, Ellsworth and 35 other state financial officers and attorneys general submitted a public comment to the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) in opposition to a proposed DOL rule that would encourage financial managers to consider ESG factors when selecting investments for private sector pension plans.
Titled the “Prudence and Loyalty in Selecting Plan Investments and Exercising Shareholder Rights,” the rule would state that pension plan managers “can make investment decisions that reflect climate change and other environmental, social, or governance (‘ESG’) considerations, including climate-related financial risk, and choose economically targeted investments (‘ETIs’) selected, in part, for benefits apart from the investment return.”
Ellsworth and the other officials wrote that the rule “would allow employers and investment managers to invest employee retirement savings in a way that benefits social causes and corporate goals even if it adversely affects the return to the employee” and that it would permit “proxy voting in ways that support ESG investment goals contrary to shareholder interests.”
The state officials wrote that they were “opposed to investment managers and employers being encouraged or mandated to consider ESG factors and protected from legal action when they do” and that the DOL’s proposed rule “makes what should be a financial decision into a political one.”[20]
West Virginia letter supporting financial system access for fuel industry (November 2021)
Ellsworth was a co-signer on West Virginia State Treasurer Riley Moore's (R) November 22, 2021, letter to the U.S. banking industry. The signatories were the treasurers, auditors, and comptrollers from fifteen states. The letter identified them as the “fiduciaries and stewards of more than $600 billion” in combined investment capital.
The letter began: “We are writing to notify you that we will be taking collective action in response to the ongoing and growing economic boycott of traditional energy production industries by U.S. financial institutions.”
The signatories wrote their individual actions would be tailored to fit each state’s unique laws and economic position, but that the coordinated objective would be “to select financial institutions that support a free market and are not engaged in harmful fossil fuel industry boycotts for our states’ financial services contracts.”[21]
Letter to John Kerry regarding banking access for energy firms (May 2021)
Ellsworth was one of 14 state financial officials who signed West Virginia State Treasurer Riley Moore's (R) May 2021 letter to Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry. The treasurers said Kerry and others in Joe Biden’s (D) administration were “privately pressuring U.S. banks and financial institutions to refuse to lend to or invest in coal, oil, and natural gas companies, as part of a misguided strategy to eliminate the fossil fuel industry in our country.” The signatories said they “strongly oppose the Biden Administration’s efforts to cut off financing for law-abiding industries that are essential to the economy and our citizens’ way of life.”[22]
According to Politico's Zach Colman, Kerry was “prodding major U.S. banks privately to announce commitments for climate-friendly finance.” Colman reported the Biden administration and several climate policy groups held a March 9, 2022, teleconference to discuss “potential financial sector regulations and executive actions to limit risk from climate change-fueled shocks.” Colman reported representatives from the following groups as participants on the call: the Center for American Progress, Public Citizen, Rainforest Action Network, Sierra Club and 350.org.[23][24]
The United States Department of State denied Kerry pressured institutions on environmental subjects.[25]
Campaign finance summary
Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.
Personal
Note: Please contact us if the personal information below requires an update.
Ellsworth and her husband, Maurice, have two children.
State legislative tenure
Committee assignments
2011-2012
In the 2011-2012 legislative session, Ellsworth served on these committees:
See also
2026 Elections
External links
|
Candidate Idaho Treasurer |
Officeholder Idaho Treasurer |
Personal |
Footnotes
- ↑ Idaho Press, “Ellsworth vs Silver for Idaho state treasurer,” September 6, 2022
- ↑ Ellsworth for Idaho State Treasurer, “Meet Julie,” accessed January 19, 2023
- ↑ Idaho Secretary of State, "2012 primary election results," accessed May 15, 2012
- ↑ Idaho Secretary of State – Elections Division, "November 6, 2012 General Election Results," accessed December 27, 2012
- ↑ Idaho Secretary of State, "Official 2010 General election results," accessed April 16, 2014
- ↑ "Republican Ellsworth loses one vote, still wins House seat after District 18 recount," Idaho Reporter, December 9th, 2010
- ↑ West Virginia Office of the State Treasurer, “Letter from membership of State Financial Officers Foundation to Mr. Kunal Kapoor, Chief Executive Officer, Morningstar, Inc.,” August 25, 2022
- ↑ Pittsburgh Business Times, “SEC’s proposed ESG rule: Key takeaways for public and private companies,” December 1, 2022
- ↑ State Financial Officers Foundation, Letter to Securities and Exchange Commission Re: Enhancement and Standardization of Climate-Related Disclosures for Investors, June 17, 2022
- ↑ State Financial Officers Foundation, Letter to Securities and Exchange Commission Re: Enhancement and Standardization of Climate-Related Disclosures for Investors, June 17, 2022
- ↑ Current News: Idaho State Treasurer, “Treasurer Ellsworth signs letter to SEC Pushing Back on The Enhancement and Standardization of Climate-Related Disclosures for Investors Rule,” accessed January 19, 2020
- ↑ State of Idaho, “Re: ESG Credit Indicators – State of Idaho. From Gov. Brad Little, et al.,” May 18, 2022
- ↑ Idaho State Treasurer, “Idaho Officials Object to S&P’s Use of ESG Criteria in State Credit Ratings,” accessed January 19, 2023
- ↑ State of Utah, “Re: Request for Information on Possible Agency Actions to Protect Life Savings and Pensions from Threats of Climate Related Financial Risk Z–RIN 1210–ZA30,” May 16, 2022
- ↑ State of Utah, “Re: Request for Information on Possible Agency Actions to Protect Life Savings and Pensions from Threats of Climate Related Financial Risk Z–RIN 1210–ZA30,” May 16, 2022
- ↑ Idaho State Treasurer, “Americans Retirement Savings at Risk with Push for Climate Agenda,” accessed January 19, 2023
- ↑ Jewish News Service, “Ben & Jerry’s to freeze ice-cream sales in ‘occupied Palestinian territory,’” July 19, 2021
- ↑ Office of the Arizona State Treasurer, “Letter to Alan Jope, Chief Executive Officer of Unilever, PLC,” December 9, 2021
- ↑ Jewish News Service, “Unilever reaches deal with Ben & Jerry’s Israel to end boycott,” June 29, 2022
- ↑ State of Utah, “Comment to Department of Labor, Office of Regulations and Interpretations, from Utah and undersigned states. ATTN: Prudence and Loyalty in Selecting Plan Investments and Exercising Shareholder Rights,” December 13, 2021
- ↑ ‘’West Virginia Office of the State Treasurer’’, “Letter: To Whom It May Concern in the U.S. Banking Industry,” November 22, 2021
- ↑ West Virginia Office of the State Treasurer, “Letter from Riley Moore to Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry,” May 25, 2021
- ↑ Politico, “Kerry to Wall Street: Put your money behind your climate PR,” March 12, 2021
- ↑ West Virginia Office of the State Treasurer, “Letter from Riley Moore to Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry,” May 25, 2021
- ↑ The Missouri Times, "Fitzpatrick, other state treasurers warn banks over Biden administration’s climate finance push," May 27, 2021
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by - |
Idaho Treasurer 2019-Present |
Succeeded by - |
| Preceded by - |
Idaho House of Representatives District 18A 2010-2012 |
Succeeded by - |
| |||||||||||||||||
