In the years since the organizations founding, Ellis has led various marches and protests and advocated for stricter COVID-19 measures, including mask mandates and virtual learning,[5] a reduction of gun violence in schools and higher teacher pay.

[6] After winning the June 2022 Democratic primary for state superintendent, Ellis stepped down from her position as executive director of SC for Ed to focus on her campaign.

[8] On June 14, 2022, Ellis won the Democratic primary against Gary Burgess, former Anderson County School District 4 Superintendent and Jerry Govan, South Carolina House representative.

Political experts have cited this as the most partisan election in recent history because of the current national spotlight on educational issues.

[12] In a September 2022 interview, Ellis said that the General Assembly's attempt to outlaw the teaching of critical race theory was "unnecessary," and that the legislature has "created a ghost to get away from what is actually happening in schools" in an effort to redirect funding for public education to private schools.

[16][17][18] After winning the primary election, Ellis announced she would step down as executive director of SC for Ed, though she intends on remaining a classroom teacher throughout her campaign.