David Kelly (politician)
David Kelly | |
|---|---|
| Member of the West Virginia House of Delegates from the 8th district | |
| In office 2022–2025 | |
| Preceded by | Everette Anderson |
| Succeeded by | Bill Bell |
| Member of the West Virginia House of Delegates from the 6th district | |
| In office 2018–2022 | |
| Preceded by | William Romine |
| Succeeded by | Charlie Reynolds |
| Personal details | |
| Born | David L. Kelly November 8, 1956 Parkersburg, West Virginia, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Jan Kelly |
| Education | PhD in Divinity |
| Occupation | Sheriff, county commissioner |
David Kelly (Born November 8, 1956) is an American politician who served in the West Virginia House of Delegates from 2018 to 2025. Kelly is a Republican.
Early life, education, and career
Kelly was born in Petersburg, West Virginia to Darlene Dotson Kelly and John E. Kelly. He has a PhD in divinity. Kelly served 20 years in law enforcement, including two terms as a sheriff. He also served as the Tyler County commissioner before running to be a delegate.[1]
Elections
2018
In his primary, Kelly defeated fellow Republican Alex King with 53.05% of the vote to earn the nomination.[2]
Kelly defeated Democrat T. Chris Combs and Independent J. Scott Beaver with 67.05% of the vote in the general election.[3]
2020
In his second primary election, Kelly ran unopposed.[4]
Kelly defeated Democrat Cindy Welch with 72.70% of the vote to win reelection in the general election.[5]
Tenure
Committee assignments
- Select Committee on Prevention and Treatment of Substance Abuse (Chair)[6]
- Agriculture and Natural Resources
- Judiciary
- Veterans Affairs and Homeland Security
Kelly is the Assistant Majority Whip in the Republican-controlled House of Delegates.
Kelly has a 77% lifetime rating from the American Conservative Union.[7] He also has a B− rating from the West Virginia Citizens Defense League, a gun rights organization, as of 2020.[8] Kelly had a 16% rating from the West Virginia chapter of the Sierra Club as of 2020.[9]
In July 2025, Kelly left the House to become the Commissioner of the Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation.[10]
Personal life
Kelly is married to Jan Kelly and has four children. He is a Protestant.[1]
References
- ^ a b "West Virginia Delegate Biography: Delegate Kelly". West Virginia Legislature. Retrieved March 23, 2021.
- ^ "2018 Primary Election: House of Delegates 6th District". West Virginia Board of Elections. Retrieved March 23, 2021.
- ^ "2018 General Election: House of Delegates 6th District". West Virginia Board of Elections. Retrieved March 23, 2021.
- ^ "2020 Primary Election: House of Delegates 6th District". West Virginia Board of Elections. Retrieved March 23, 2021.
- ^ "2020 General Election: House of Delegates 6th District". West Virginia Board of Elections. Retrieved March 23, 2021.
- ^ "Member Profiles: Delegate Kelly". West Virginia Legislature. Retrieved March 23, 2021.
- ^ "ACU Foundation's Ratings of West Virginia 2019" (PDF). American Conservative Union. Archived from the original (PDF) on April 9, 2021. Retrieved March 23, 2021.
- ^ "Candidate Ratings 2020". West Virginia Citizens Defense League. Retrieved March 23, 2021.
- ^ "WV Sierra Club Legislative Scorecard 2019 - 2020". Sierra Club. Retrieved March 23, 2021.
- ^ "Bell To Replace Kelly In West Virginia House Of Delegates". The Intelligencer and Wheeling News-Register. July 8, 2025. Retrieved July 9, 2025.