Rodney Glenn Ellis (born 7 April 1954) is an African-American politician from the state of Texas. He has served on the Texas State Senate since 1990, representing Texas Senate District 13. Rodney Ellis was first elected to the Texas Senate in 1990. During his tenure, Senator Ellis has earned praise as a leader on economic development, education, civil rights, responsible environmental policy, tax cuts for the middle class, criminal justice, and workforce development issues.