Laura Kelly

Laura Kelly is an American politician serving as the 48th Governor of Kansas since 2019. A member of the Democratic Party, she previously served in the Kansas Senate from 2005 to 2019, representing the 18th district. Her tenure as governor has focused on reversing budget cuts to public education, expanding Medicaid, and fostering bipartisan cooperation in the Kansas Legislature.

Early life and education

Laura Kelly was born on January 24, 1950, in New York City and raised in a military family, living on various United States Army posts including Fort Leavenworth. Her father, John Kelly, was a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers officer. She attended Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology. Her early exposure to diverse communities and public service through her family's military background significantly influenced her later career.

Early career

Before entering politics, Kelly built a career in the field of early childhood education and advocacy. She served as the Executive Director of the Kansas Children's Cabinet and Trust Fund, an agency focused on early childhood development programs. She also worked with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment and was a prominent figure at the Rehabilitation Institute of Kansas City. Her work often involved collaboration with organizations like the Kansas Action for Children and the Topeka Public Schools.

Political career

Kelly was first elected to represent the 18th district in the Kansas Senate in 2004, defeating Republican incumbent Dave Jackson. During her tenure, she served on influential committees including the Senate Ways and Means Committee and the Joint Committee on State Building Construction. She was known for her work on health care policy, budget issues, and children's welfare, often crossing the aisle to work with moderate Republicans like then-Senate President Stephen Morris. She was re-elected in 2008, 2012, and 2016.

Governor of Kansas

Kelly was elected Governor of Kansas in the 2018 Kansas gubernatorial election, defeating the Republican nominee, Secretary of State Kris Kobach, and independent Greg Orman. She succeeded Republican Jeff Colyer. A central achievement of her first term was the successful passage of a school funding bill to satisfy the Kansas Supreme Court rulings in the Gannon v. Kansas litigation. She also successfully advocated for the Kansas Legislature to pass Medicaid expansion in 2020, overcoming years of opposition from conservative lawmakers. In 2022, she won re-election, defeating Derek Schmidt, the Attorney General. Her administration has emphasized infrastructure projects, economic development, and rebuilding state agencies like the Kansas Department of Transportation and the Kansas Department for Children and Families.

Personal life

Kelly married physician Ted Daughety in 1987, and they have two daughters. The family resides in the Cedar Crest mansion in Topeka. An avid supporter of the arts, she serves on the board of the Topeka Performing Arts Center. Kelly is also a member of the National Governors Association and has been involved with the Washburn University School of Law's legislative projects. Her personal interests include reading and attending performances by the Topeka Symphony Orchestra.

Category:1950 births Category:Governors of Kansas Category:Kansas state senators Category:Democratic Party governors in the United States Category:Living people Category:Women state governors in the United States Category:Bradley University alumni