Changes

Friday's oath was administered by his long-term friend from Start in Richland Parish,  Judge Will Rhymes Barham of the Louisiana 5th Judicial District, a Republican. Ellis said that he will try to heal the division between the northern and southern portions of Monroe and represent all citizens equally. In the 2010 census, the city was 64 percent black. Ellis became emotional as he spoke of his expectations for a united Monroe:  

Friday's oath was administered by his long-term friend from Start in Richland Parish,  Judge Will Rhymes Barham of the Louisiana 5th Judicial District, a Republican. Ellis said that he will try to heal the division between the northern and southern portions of Monroe and represent all citizens equally. In the 2010 census, the city was 64 percent black. Ellis became emotional as he spoke of his expectations for a united Monroe:  

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Today, we are all embarking on a new journey together – one that some of us have dreamed about, some of us believed would never take place, and some of us have never given up the hope. I share high hopes today with you, high hopes for a city that is safe, high hopes for a city that is prospering and high hopes for a city that provides the best service for all of its residents.”<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thenewsstar.com/news/|title=Friday Ellis inaugurated as new mayor of Monroe|publisher=''[[Monroe News Star''|date=July 21, 2020|author=Ashley Mott|accessdate=July 22, 2020}}</ref></blockquote>

Today, we are all embarking on a new journey together – one that some of us have dreamed about, some of us believed would never take place, and some of us have never given up the hope. I share high hopes today with you, high hopes for a city that is safe, high hopes for a city that is prospering and high hopes for a city that provides the best service for all of its residents.”<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thenewsstar.com/news/|title=Friday Ellis inaugurated as new mayor of Monroe|publisher=''[[Monroe News Star]]''|date=July 21, 2020|author=Ashley Mott|accessdate=July 22, 2020}}</ref></blockquote>

If Ellis seeks reelection in the March 23, 2024, primary election, he will face at least one opponent, Democrat Betty Ward-Cooper, an African-American member of the Monroe City School Board and a former professor at the [[University of Louisiana at Monroe]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thenewsstar.com/story/news/2023/10/19/betty-ward-cooper-enters-monroe-mayors-race/71240491007/|title=Betty Ward-Cooper enters Monroe mayor's race|author=Ian Robinson|publisher=''Monroe News Star''|date=October 19, 2023}}</ref>

If Ellis seeks reelection in the March 23, 2024, primary election, he will face at least one opponent, Democrat Betty Ward-Cooper, an African-American member of the Monroe City School Board and a former professor at the [[University of Louisiana at Monroe]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thenewsstar.com/story/news/2023/10/19/betty-ward-cooper-enters-monroe-mayors-race/71240491007/|title=Betty Ward-Cooper enters Monroe mayor's race|author=Ian Robinson|publisher=''Monroe News Star''|date=October 19, 2023}}</ref>