Preceded by redistricted Preceded by Joe Sitton Preceded by Joe Paskvan Succeeded by Jim Whitaker | Preceded by Bert Sharp Name Pete Kelly Succeeded by redistricted | |
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Pete Kelly (born June 3, 1956 in Fairbanks, Alaska) is an American politician and a Republican member of the Alaska Senate. He has served in the Alaska Senate since January 18, 2013, representing District A. He has served as President of the Alaska State Senate since January 2017. Kelly previously served in the Alaska Legislature in the Alaska House of Representatives and Senate from 1995 until 2003.
Contents
- Personal life
- Elections
- 19th Legislature 1995 1996
- Committee memberships
- Caucus memberships
- 20th Legislature 1997 1998
- 21st Legislature 1999 2000
- 22nd Legislature 2001 2002
- 28th Legislature 2013 2014
- Caucus membership
- 29th Legislature 2015 2016
- References
Personal life
Pete Kelly was born in Fairbanks, Alaska on June 3, 1956, the youngest of seven children of Halford "Hal" and Helen Kelly. He has lived in Fairbanks for most of his life, and graduated from Monroe Catholic High School in 1974. His oldest brother was Mike Kelly. Mike died in a plane crash on December 7, 2016.
Kelly attended University of Alaska Fairbanks and earned his BS in business administration from Liberty University.
His son, Devin, was found guilty of indecent exposure involving a minor in 2015.
Elections
In 1994, Kelly was unopposed in the House District 31 August 23, 1994 Republican primary, winning with 768 votes. He challenged incumbent Democratic Representative Joe Sitton in the general election. Kelly won the three-way November 8, 1994 general election with 2,269 votes (49.9%) against Sitton and Fairbanks Republican candidate Walt Johnson.
In 1996, Kelly was unopposed in the August 27, 1996 Republican primary. He won with 1,986 votes, and went on to win the November 5, 1996 general election with 3,262 votes (66.5%) against Democratic nominee Erik Holland.
In 1998, when Republican Senator Bert Sharp retired and left the District P seat open, Kelly won the August 25, 1998 Republican primary, receiving 2,107 votes against District 32 Representative Al Vezey. Kelly won the November 3, 1998 general election with 5,082 votes (61.80%) against Democratic nominee Jane Haigh.
Kelly was unopposed for the District B August 28, 2012 Republican primary, winning with 2,386 votes. He faced incumbent Democratic Senator Joe Paskvan (redistricted from District E) in the general election; Kelly won the November 6, 2012 contest with 6,232 votes (54.11%).
19th Legislature (1995-1996)
Kelly first served in the legislature during the 19th Legislature in the Alaska House of Representatives, representing District 31.
Committee memberships
Caucus memberships
20th Legislature (1997-1998)
Kelly won reelection in 1996 and served as the representative for District 31.
Committee memberships
Caucus memberships
21st Legislature (1999-2000)
Kelly joined the Senate during the 21st Legislature, representing District P.
Committee memberships
Caucus memberships
22nd Legislature (2001-2002)
Kelly was reelected to the senate in 2000 for District P for the 22nd Legislature. He served as the co-chair of the Finance Committee.
Committee memberships
Caucus memberships
28th Legislature (2013-2014)
Kelly returned to the Senate after winning election in 2012, representing District B. He co-chaired the Senate Finance Committee as well as the Joint Armed Services Committee
Committee memberships
Caucus membership
29th Legislature (2015-2016)
Kelly won reelection to the senate in 2014, redistricted to District A. He serves as the co-chair of the Finance Committee.