Kevin C. Kelly

Kelly earned a B.A. from Assumption College in 1982, an M.A. from Fairfield University in 1985, and a J.D. from University of Connecticut School of Law in 1997.John Burgeson, [https://apnews.com/article/4896456d74c74687bafd35f1b82e7ef2 Kelly loses Stratford but prevails in the 21st], Associated Press (November 7, 2018).{{cite web |title=Kevin Kelly's Biography |url=https://justfacts.votesmart.org/candidate/biography/126697/kevin-kelly |website=Vote Smart |accessdate=18 April 2020}}

Kelly was formerly a town attorney. He has a law office, Kevin Kelly & Associates, in Stratford, specializing in elder law.Ethan Fry, [https://www.ctpost.com/elections/article/Kevin-Kelly-Republican-candidate-for-state-15600151.php Kevin Kelly: Republican, candidate for state Senate District 21], CT Post (September 28, 2020). Before opening his legal practice, Kelly spent 13 years as an investigator for the Connecticut Department of Social Services.

In 1992, Kelly ran for the Connecticut House of Representatives in the 121st district. However, he lost the election to Terry Backer.{{cite web | url=https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=963224 | title=Our Campaigns - CT State House 121 Race - Nov 03, 1992 }}

Since 2011, he has been a State Senator, representing part of the Naugatuck River Valley in the Connecticut Senate, including all of the town of Shelton and part of the towns of Monroe, Seymour, and Stratford.

In 2010, Kelly defeated James Miron, a former mayor of Stratford. In 2012, Kelly ran unopposed for the seat. In 2014, Kelly won reelection, defeating Democrat Prez Palmer. In 2016, Kelly won a fourth term in the Senate, again defeating Palmer. In 2018, Kelly won a fifth term in the Senate, defeating Democratic nominee Monica Tujak Brill. He ran unopposed in 2020.Mark Pazniokas, [https://ctmirror.org/2020/11/04/helped-by-trump-ct-democrats-gain-in-general-assembly/ Helped by Trump, Democrats gain in CT General Assembly], CT Mirror (November 4, 2020).

In 2016, Kelly expressed support for Trump's presidential candidacy.[https://www.ctpost.com/news/article/Majority-of-local-GOP-candidates-won-t-take-9974246.php Majority of local GOP candidates won't take stand on Trump] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201125024152/https://www.ctpost.com/news/article/Majority-of-local-GOP-candidates-won-t-take-9974246.php |date=2020-11-25 }}, Connecticut Post (October 17, 2016). In November 2020, the Senate Republican caucus elected Kelly to the post of Senate Minority Leader, replacing Len Fasano, who retired; Kelly appointed Paul Formica as his deputy.{{Cite web|url=https://www.ctinsider.com/news/newstimes/article/Jacqueline-Smith-The-state-Republican-leader-who-15774043.php|title = Jacqueline Smith: The state Republican leader who wanted to be a catcher|date = 4 December 2020}}Eugene Driscoll, [https://valley.newhavenindependent.org/archives/entry/kevin_kelly_named_senate_republican_leader/ Kevin Kelly Named Senate Republican Leader], Valley Independent Sentinel (November 6, 2020). As of 2020, Kelly was the ranking member of the Senate committees on Aging, Insurance and Real Estate, and Children, and a member of the Regulation Review Committee.

In the state Senate, Kelly has championed efforts to make pregnancy a "qualifying life event" for purposes of health insurance enrollment; the legislation was supported by the Connecticut Commission on Women, Children and Seniors.Bill Cummings, [https://apnews.com/article/health-prenatal-care-hartford-legislation-archive-96af47b80c0c4302bac59d89fc7abe8b Stratford lawmaker seeks health care access for pregnant women], Associated Press (February 27, 2018).

In 2020, Kelly voted against a police reform and accountability bill.Kevin Kelly, [https://www.sheltonherald.com/news/article/Op-Ed-Kelly-talks-opposition-to-police-reform-15442532.php Op-Ed: Kelly talks opposition to police reform bill], Shelton Herald (July 29, 2020).

He was re-elected in the 2024 Connecticut State Senate election.{{Cite news |last=Dixon |first=Ken |title=CT Sen. Kevin Kelly to step down ahead of legislative session to become judicial nominee |url=https://www.ctinsider.com/politics/article/connecticut-state-senator-skip-taking-oath-office-20011123.php |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250121180941/https://www.ctinsider.com/politics/article/connecticut-state-senator-skip-taking-oath-office-20011123.php |archive-date=2025-01-21 |access-date=2025-02-10 |work=CT Insider |language=en |url-status=live }} In January 2025, he resigned his seat to take up a state judicial appointment.{{Cite web |title=Secretary of the State s Office Receives the Resignation of Senator Kevin C Kelly |url=https://portal.ct.gov/sots/press-releases/2025-press-releases/secretary-of-the-state-s-office-receives-the-resignation-of-senator-kevin-c-kelly |access-date=2025-02-10 |website=CT.gov - Connecticut's Official State Website |language=en}}

Kelly is married and has four children and five grandchildren.

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{{s-ttl|title=Minority Leader of the Connecticut State Senate|years=2021–2024}}

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Category:21st-century members of the Connecticut General Assembly

Category:Assumption University (Worcester) alumni

Category:Republican Party Connecticut state senators

Category:Fairfield University alumni

Category:Living people

Category:University of Connecticut School of Law alumni

Category:Year of birth missing (living people)