Laura Kelly (politician)
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| Laura Kelly (politician) | |
|---|---|
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| Name | Laura Kelly |
| Office | Governor of Kansas |
| Order | 48th |
| Term start | January 14, 2019 |
| Predecessor | Jeff Colyer |
| Birth date | 24 January 1950 |
| Birth place | New York City, New York, U.S. |
| Party | Democratic Party (United States) |
| Spouse | Ted Daughety |
| Alma mater | University of Kansas |
Laura Kelly (politician) is an American politician serving as the 48th Governor of Kansas since 2019. A member of the Democratic Party (United States), she previously represented northeastern Wichita in the Kansas State Senate and worked in state administration and civic organizations. Her tenure as governor has focused on fiscal policy, healthcare access, and bipartisan coalition-building in a state with a long history of Republican control.
Early life and education
Kelly was born in New York City and raised in an environment shaped by mid-20th-century urban dynamics. She attended the University of Kansas, where she completed degrees that prepared her for a career intersecting public service and community organizations. During her college years she engaged with local chapters of national groups and regional initiatives linked to Wichita State University and municipal efforts in Sedgwick County.
Early career and political involvement
Kelly's early professional life included positions within Kansas state agencies and nonprofit organizations. She served in roles connected to state oversight and public administration under administrations associated with figures like John Carlin and later engagements that interfaced with the executive offices of Kansas governors. Kelly worked with statewide advocacy organizations and civic coalitions, collaborating with entities such as the Kansas Association of School Boards and local chapters of national groups, building relationships with legislators from both the Kansas House of Representatives and the Kansas Senate.
Kansas State Senate and legislative record
In 2004, Kelly was elected to represent parts of northeastern Wichita in the Kansas Senate. During her tenure she served on and chaired committees related to state fiscal matters, including panels that intersected with the Kansas State Board of Tax Appeals and appropriations deliberations involving the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. Kelly worked on legislation addressing Medicaid-related issues and state budget priorities, engaging with lawmakers from districts such as Topeka and counties including Johnson County. Her legislative record included votes and sponsorships that aligned with moderate Democratic positions on taxation, public funding for schools associated with the Kansas State Department of Education, and rural healthcare tied to hospitals in Wellington, Kansas and Hutchinson, Kansas.
2018 gubernatorial campaign
Kelly launched a statewide campaign for governor in 2018, positioning herself against Jeff Colyer in the general election after a competitive primary cycle that involved other Democratic figures active in Wyandotte County, Kansas and Shawnee County, Kansas. Her campaign emphasized reversing tax policies enacted under the administration of Sam Brownback and restoring funding for public education connected to school districts across Sedgwick County and Riley County. Kelly built coalitions including endorsements from prominent state Democrats and labor organizations linked to national affiliates such as the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees and appealed to voters in urban centers like Wichita and Kansas City, Kansas.
Governorship (2019–present)
Kelly was inaugurated as governor on January 14, 2019, succeeding Jeff Colyer and inheriting fiscal challenges related to policies from the Brownback era. Her administration prioritized negotiations with the Kansas Legislature—including leaders from the Kansas Senate and the Kansas House of Representatives—to address budget shortfalls and Medicaid expansion discussions tied to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment and federal programs administered through the United States Department of Health and Human Services. During her first term she worked with local officials from cities such as Topeka and Wichita on disaster response when severe weather events struck, coordinating with state emergency management and county sheriffs.
Kelly won reelection in 2022, campaigning on records of improving state reserves and expanding access to behavioral health services linked to regional providers in Johnson County and rural networks in western Kansas. Her second term has involved appointments to statewide boards and interactions with national organizations including meetings with members of Congress from Kansas's 2nd congressional district and engagements at forums tied to the National Governors Association.
Political positions and policy initiatives
Kelly's policy agenda has focused on fiscal stability, healthcare access, and education funding. She advocated reversing or modifying tax cuts pursued under Sam Brownback to restore revenue to the state treasury and fund programs administered by the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services. Kelly supported Medicaid expansion consistent with federal frameworks and worked to increase reimbursements for rural hospitals affiliated with regional health systems in Hutchinson and Dodge City. On education, she sought increased appropriations to the Kansas State Department of Education and initiatives to support teachers in districts like Wichita USD 259. Kelly has positioned herself as a moderate Democrat, navigating bipartisan compromises with Republican leaders from Wyandotte County and Sedgwick County on issues including criminal justice reform measures and infrastructure investments tied to the Kansas Department of Transportation.
Personal life and honors
Kelly is married to Ted Daughety, a physician, and the couple has three children. She has been recognized by state civic organizations and received honors from groups active in public policy, healthcare, and community development. Her personal affiliations have included participation in statewide boards and collaborations with nonprofits connected to public health and education initiatives in communities across Kansas, from Wichita to Manhattan.
Category:Governors of Kansas Category:Women state governors of the United States Category:Democratic Party (United States) politicians from Kansas Category:People from New York City Category:University of Kansas alumni