Phillip Ensler

Phillip Ensler
Member of the Alabama House of Representatives
from the 74th district
Assumed office
November 9, 2022
Preceded byCharlotte Meadows
Personal details
PartyDemocratic
EducationGeorge Washington University
Yeshiva University

Phillip Ensler is an American politician and attorney who has served as a member of the Alabama House of Representatives since 2022. He represents Alabama's 74th House district. He is a member of the Democratic Party.

Education

Ensler earned a Juris Doctor degree from Yeshiva University in 2017.[1] He also earned a Bachelor of Arts in political science from George Washington University in 2012 and served in the Obama administration while in D.C.[2]

Career

Ensler first announced that he would run for state house in January 2022.[3] After redistricting in 2021, the seat was redrawn to be majority black, with 55% of voters in the district being black.[4] He defeated Malcolm Calhoun in the primary election on May 24.[5] Before election day, many prominent Democratic officials in the state contributed to his campaign, including former U.S. Senator Doug Jones.[6] He defeated Charlotte Meadows in the general election on November 8, with 60% of the vote. The victory marked the first time that the Alabama Democratic Party had flipped a seat in the state legislature since 2010.[7]

In July 2025, he announced that he would not run for re-election, and would move to New York, his home state.[8] Despite this, he announced in December 2025 that he would not move to New York, and instead announced his candidacy in the 2026 Alabama lieutenant gubernatorial election.[9]

Personal life

Ensler is Jewish.[10] He worked as the executive director of the Jewish Federation of Central Alabama.[11]

References

  1. ^ "Phillip Ensler". Ballotpedia. Retrieved 2023-09-26.
  2. ^ "Alabama State Rep. Phillip Ensler - Biography | LegiStorm". www.legistorm.com. Retrieved 2023-09-26.
  3. ^ Lyman, Brian (January 19, 2022). "Phillip Ensler to seek Democratic nomination for Alabama House District 74". Montgomery Advertiser. Retrieved 18 December 2025.
  4. ^ Pinsky, Mark (October 18, 2025). "There are no Jews in the Alabama legislature. That could soon change". Forward. Retrieved 18 December 2025.
  5. ^ Lyman, Brian (May 24, 2022). "Phillip Ensler wins Democratic nomination for House District 74". Montgomery Advertiser. Retrieved 18 December 2025.
  6. ^ Monger, Craig (November 7, 2022). "Montgomery power brokers, high-profile Democrats line up for Phillip Ensler against GOP incumbent Charlotte Meadows in HD74". 1819 News. Retrieved 18 December 2025.
  7. ^ Lyman, Brian (November 8, 2022). "Phillip Ensler wins House District 74 in first Democratic state house flip since 2010". Montgomery Advertiser. Retrieved 18 December 2025.
  8. ^ Barrett, Anna (July 15, 2025). "Rep. Phillip Ensler of Montgomery not seeking re-election". Alabama Reflector. Retrieved 18 December 2025.
  9. ^ Cason, Mike (December 18, 2025). "Outgoing Democrat who beat GOP lawmaker running for one of Alabama's top offices". AL.com. Retrieved 18 December 2025.
  10. ^ "Biography - Phillip Ensler for Alabama House District 74". Phillip Ensler. Retrieved 2023-09-26.
  11. ^ "Al.com". Retrieved 25 September 2023.