Paul D. Ellington

Paul was born and raised in Maryland. He founded State and Local Advisors, a full-service government affairs firm focusing on rural counties and towns and nonprofits. Paul’s background includes work as a small business owner, licensed tree expert, boys varsity basketball head coach, elected official, political party official, Chief of Staff to Lt. Governor Michael Steele, Chief of Staff to Delegate Neil Parrott, contract lobbyist, and respected political advisor and strategist throughout Maryland. 

Paul began his career as a licensed tree expert, owning and operating a tree service business in Southern Maryland while also serving as a head basketball coach. He later chose to enter politics full-time after being elected to two terms on the Bowie City Council, where he was selected by fellow elected officials to serve on the Prince George’s County Municipal League Board of Directors. 

He went on to become Executive Director of the Maryland Republican Party and played a key role in the election of Governor Robert Ehrlich. Paul later joined the Ehrlich Administration as Chief of Staff to Lieutenant Governor Michael Steele. He also worked in the Legislature as Chief of Staff to Delegate Neil Parrott, where he helped craft legislation. 

From 2006 to 2008, Paul served as president of GOPAC. He later advised the Hogan Companies and worked with Governor Larry Hogan in the early years of forming Change Maryland, which helped launch Hogan’s successful campaign for Governor. Paul also served on the Governor’s Finance Team. 

He currently lives in Cambridge on Maryland’s Eastern Shore.