Donald G. Kelly
Encyclopedia
Donald Gene Kelly, usually known as Don Kelly (born May 23, 1941), is a prominent trial lawyer
and American Quarter Horse
breeder in Natchitoches
who served as a Democratic
member of the Louisiana State Senate
from 1976 to 1996. His tenure covered three of the four terms of Democratic Governor
Edwin Washington Edwards and the single gubernatorial terms of Republican
David C. Treen
and Democrat-turned-Republican Charles Elston "Buddy" Roemer, III
.
In 1981, Treen appointed Kelly to the board of the newly established statewide accelerated high school
, the Louisiana School for Math, Science and the Arts in Natchitoches.
Kelly's nephew
and law partner, Natchitoches attorney
Thomas Taylor Townsend
(born ca. 1963), served in the Louisiana House of Representatives
from 2000 to 2008, having been defeated in a race for Kelly's former Senate seat in 2007 by Gerald Long
of Natchitoches, the only member of the Long family
thus far to have been elected as a Republican. Kelly is a brother of Townsend's mother, Dorothy Kelly Townsend. In the 1999 election, Townsend unseated Gerald Long's brother, Jimmy D. Long
of Natchitoches.
In the 1975 nonpartisan blanket primary, also known as the jungle primary, the first ever held in Louisiana in which all candidates regardless of party appear on the same ballot, Kelly upset freshman Senator Paul Lee Foshee, Sr.
(born November 12, 1932), of Natchitoches. In Louisiana state and local (but no longer congressional) elections, the winner of the primary, or the runoff election (called the general election
even if both finalists are of the same party designation), hence wins the office. In 1979, Kelly defeated Foshee's 23-year-old son, George Barnes Foshee (1956–2000). In 1987, Foshee, Sr., unsuccessfully challenged Kelly. In 1991, Kelly defeated 19-year-old Republican Randall T. Hayes, 29,410 votes (75.4 percent) to 9,599 (24.6 percent). In 1995, Kelly did not seek a sixth term and was succeeded by fellow Democrat Kenneth Michael "Mike" Smith of Winnfield
, the seat of Winn Parish and the traditional home of the Longs.
Kelly worked closely with the Edwards administration to upgrade Northwestern State University
in Natchitoches and to bring public works
projects to his north central Louisiana district, which includes Natchitoches, Winn, Grant, Rapides, and Red River parishes. For a time De Soto and Sabine parishes were in District 31. He was considered such a political powerhouse that he could have for the asking presumably become the Senate President, but he instead concentrated on the needs of his district.
Kelly graduated from Coushatta High School
in Coushatta
, the seat of tiny Red River Parish located thirty miles north of Natchitoches. He attended the University of Mississippi
at Oxford
and then NSU in Natchitoches. He obtained his law degree from Louisiana State University
in Baton Rouge.
In 2003, the Democrat Kelly contributed to the reelection campaign of Republican U.S. Representative Jim McCrery
, whose Fourth District includes Natchitoches Parish. In 2004, Kelly gave the maximum $2,000 permitted under federal law to the Democratic presidential nominee
, U.S. Senator John F. Kerry of Massachusetts
.
Kelly practices in the firm Kelly, Townsend & Thomas at 137 St. Denis Street in Natchitoches. He specializes in criminal law
and retirement
issues. The Townsend in the firm is William Lloyd Townsend, brother of Taylor Townsend and Kelly's nephew. He and his wife, Patricia A. Kelly (born ca. 1942), reside in Natchitoches.
Kelly's niece, Tracey Michelle Fulton, is a Family Law, Estate Planning and Probate attorney at the Fulton Law Firm in Houston, Texas.
Kelly's quarter horse specimens have been particularly successful, having substantial earnings through the American Paint Horse Association
of Fort Worth
, Texas
. One of his former legislative colleagues, Sixty Rayburn
of Bogalusa
, was also active in Louisiana horse racing. Kelly is also active in the Natchitoches chapter of the sportsmen's organization Ducks Unlimited
.
On February 2, 2008, Kelly was among the annual inductees into the Louisiana Political Museum and Hall of Fame
in Winnfield, one of the larger communities in Senate District 31. A previous holder of the Natchitoches Parish Senate seat, Sylvan Friedman
, was posthumously inducted into the organization in 2006.
Lawyer
A lawyer, according to Black's Law Dictionary, is "a person learned in the law; as an attorney, counsel or solicitor; a person who is practicing law." Law is the system of rules of conduct established by the sovereign government of a society to correct wrongs, maintain the stability of political...
and American Quarter Horse
American Quarter Horse
The American Quarter Horse is an American breed of horse that excels at sprinting short distances. Its name came from its ability to outdistance other breeds of horses in races of a quarter mile or less; some individuals have been clocked at speeds up to 55 mph...
breeder in Natchitoches
Natchitoches, Louisiana
Natchitoches is a city in and the parish seat of Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana, United States. Established in 1714 by Louis Juchereau de St. Denis as part of French Louisiana, the community was named after the Natchitoches Indian tribe. The City of Natchitoches was first incorporated on February...
who served as a Democratic
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
member of the Louisiana State Senate
Louisiana State Legislature
The Louisiana State Legislature is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Louisiana. It is bicameral body, comprising the lower house, the Louisiana House of Representatives with 105 representatives, and the upper house, the Louisiana Senate with 39 senators...
from 1976 to 1996. His tenure covered three of the four terms of Democratic Governor
Governor
A governor is a governing official, usually the executive of a non-sovereign level of government, ranking under the head of state...
Edwin Washington Edwards and the single gubernatorial terms of Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
David C. Treen
David C. Treen
David Conner "Dave" Treen, Sr. , was an American attorney and politician from Mandeville, St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana – the first Republican Governor of the U.S. state of Louisiana since Reconstruction. He was the first Republican in modern times to have served in the U.S...
and Democrat-turned-Republican Charles Elston "Buddy" Roemer, III
Buddy Roemer
Charles Elson "Buddy" Roemer III is an American politician who served as the 52nd Governor of Louisiana, from 1988 to 1992. He was elected as a Democrat but switched to the Republican Party on March 11, 1991...
.
In 1981, Treen appointed Kelly to the board of the newly established statewide accelerated high school
High school
High school is a term used in parts of the English speaking world to describe institutions which provide all or part of secondary education. The term is often incorporated into the name of such institutions....
, the Louisiana School for Math, Science and the Arts in Natchitoches.
Kelly's nephew
Nephew
Nephew is a son of one's sibling or sibling-in-law, and niece is a daughter of one's sibling or a sibling-in-law. Sons and daughters of siblings-in-law are also informally referred to as nephews and nieces respectively, even though there is no blood relation...
and law partner, Natchitoches attorney
Lawyer
A lawyer, according to Black's Law Dictionary, is "a person learned in the law; as an attorney, counsel or solicitor; a person who is practicing law." Law is the system of rules of conduct established by the sovereign government of a society to correct wrongs, maintain the stability of political...
Thomas Taylor Townsend
Taylor Townsend (Louisiana politician)
Thomas Taylor Townsend, known as Taylor Townsend , is an attorney from Natchitoches, Louisiana, who served as a Democrat in the Louisiana House of Representatives from 2000-2008. Townsend is a nephew and law partner of former Louisiana State Senator Donald G. Kelly, in the firm Kelly, Townsend &...
(born ca. 1963), served in the Louisiana House of Representatives
Louisiana State Legislature
The Louisiana State Legislature is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Louisiana. It is bicameral body, comprising the lower house, the Louisiana House of Representatives with 105 representatives, and the upper house, the Louisiana Senate with 39 senators...
from 2000 to 2008, having been defeated in a race for Kelly's former Senate seat in 2007 by Gerald Long
Gerald Long
Gerald Long , is a rare Republican member of the traditionally Democratic Long political dynasty in the U.S. state of Louisiana. Specifically, he is a third cousin of the late Governors Huey Pierce Long, Jr., and Earl Kemp Long...
of Natchitoches, the only member of the Long family
Huey Long
Huey Pierce Long, Jr. , nicknamed The Kingfish, served as the 40th Governor of Louisiana from 1928–1932 and as a U.S. Senator from 1932 to 1935. A Democrat, he was noted for his radical populist policies. Though a backer of Franklin D...
thus far to have been elected as a Republican. Kelly is a brother of Townsend's mother, Dorothy Kelly Townsend. In the 1999 election, Townsend unseated Gerald Long's brother, Jimmy D. Long
Jimmy D. Long
Jimmy Dale Long, Sr. , is a former Democratic member of the Louisiana House of Representatives. He represented District 23 from 1968 until 2000, being the "dean" of the Louisiana House when he returned to private life. He is a recognized authority on educational policy. For sixteen years, he...
of Natchitoches.
In the 1975 nonpartisan blanket primary, also known as the jungle primary, the first ever held in Louisiana in which all candidates regardless of party appear on the same ballot, Kelly upset freshman Senator Paul Lee Foshee, Sr.
Paul L. Foshee
Paul Lee Foshee, Sr. , is a retired crop duster from Natchitoches, Louisiana, who served nonconsecutively in both houses of the Louisiana State Legislature during the 1960s and 1970s. From 1960 to 1964, beginning at the age of twenty-seven, Foshee served a single four-year term as a state...
(born November 12, 1932), of Natchitoches. In Louisiana state and local (but no longer congressional) elections, the winner of the primary, or the runoff election (called the general election
General election
In a parliamentary political system, a general election is an election in which all or most members of a given political body are chosen. The term is usually used to refer to elections held for a nation's primary legislative body, as distinguished from by-elections and local elections.The term...
even if both finalists are of the same party designation), hence wins the office. In 1979, Kelly defeated Foshee's 23-year-old son, George Barnes Foshee (1956–2000). In 1987, Foshee, Sr., unsuccessfully challenged Kelly. In 1991, Kelly defeated 19-year-old Republican Randall T. Hayes, 29,410 votes (75.4 percent) to 9,599 (24.6 percent). In 1995, Kelly did not seek a sixth term and was succeeded by fellow Democrat Kenneth Michael "Mike" Smith of Winnfield
Winnfield, Louisiana
Winnfield is a city in and the parish seat of Winn Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 5,749 at the 2000 census. It has long been associated with the Long faction of the Louisiana Democratic Party and was home to three governors of Louisiana.-Geography:Winnfield is located at ...
, the seat of Winn Parish and the traditional home of the Longs.
Kelly worked closely with the Edwards administration to upgrade Northwestern State University
Northwestern State University
Northwestern State University, known as NSU, is a four-year public university primarily situated in Natchitoches, Louisiana, with a nursing campus in Shreveport and general campuses in Leesville/Fort Polk and Alexandria. It is a part of the University of Louisiana System.NSU was founded in 1884 as...
in Natchitoches and to bring public works
Public works
Public works are a broad category of projects, financed and constructed by the government, for recreational, employment, and health and safety uses in the greater community...
projects to his north central Louisiana district, which includes Natchitoches, Winn, Grant, Rapides, and Red River parishes. For a time De Soto and Sabine parishes were in District 31. He was considered such a political powerhouse that he could have for the asking presumably become the Senate President, but he instead concentrated on the needs of his district.
Kelly graduated from Coushatta High School
High school
High school is a term used in parts of the English speaking world to describe institutions which provide all or part of secondary education. The term is often incorporated into the name of such institutions....
in Coushatta
Coushatta, Louisiana
Coushatta is a town in and the parish seat of rural Red River Parish, Louisiana, United States. It is situated on the east bank of the Red River. The community is approximately forty-five miles south of Shreveport on U.S. Highway 71...
, the seat of tiny Red River Parish located thirty miles north of Natchitoches. He attended the University of Mississippi
University of Mississippi
The University of Mississippi, also known as Ole Miss, is a public, coeducational research university located in Oxford, Mississippi. Founded in 1844, the school is composed of the main campus in Oxford, four branch campuses located in Booneville, Grenada, Tupelo, and Southaven as well as the...
at Oxford
Oxford, Mississippi
Oxford is a city in, and the county seat of, Lafayette County, Mississippi, United States. Founded in 1835, it was named after the British university city of Oxford in hopes of having the state university located there, which it did successfully attract....
and then NSU in Natchitoches. He obtained his law degree from Louisiana State University
Louisiana State University
Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College, most often referred to as Louisiana State University, or LSU, is a public coeducational university located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The University was founded in 1853 in what is now known as Pineville, Louisiana, under the name...
in Baton Rouge.
In 2003, the Democrat Kelly contributed to the reelection campaign of Republican U.S. Representative Jim McCrery
Jim McCrery
James Otis "Jim" McCrery, III , is an American lawyer who served as a Republican member of the United States House of Representatives from 1988 to 2009; he represented the 4th District of Louisiana, based in the northwestern quadrant of the state.McCrery was a ranking member on the House Ways and...
, whose Fourth District includes Natchitoches Parish. In 2004, Kelly gave the maximum $2,000 permitted under federal law to the Democratic presidential nominee
Nomination
Nomination is part of the process of selecting a candidate for either election to an office, or the bestowing of an honor or award.In the context of elections for public office, a candidate who has been selected by a political party is normally said to be the nominee of that party...
, U.S. Senator John F. Kerry of Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
.
Kelly practices in the firm Kelly, Townsend & Thomas at 137 St. Denis Street in Natchitoches. He specializes in criminal law
Criminal law
Criminal law, is the body of law that relates to crime. It might be defined as the body of rules that defines conduct that is not allowed because it is held to threaten, harm or endanger the safety and welfare of people, and that sets out the punishment to be imposed on people who do not obey...
and retirement
Retirement
Retirement is the point where a person stops employment completely. A person may also semi-retire by reducing work hours.Many people choose to retire when they are eligible for private or public pension benefits, although some are forced to retire when physical conditions don't allow the person to...
issues. The Townsend in the firm is William Lloyd Townsend, brother of Taylor Townsend and Kelly's nephew. He and his wife, Patricia A. Kelly (born ca. 1942), reside in Natchitoches.
Kelly's niece, Tracey Michelle Fulton, is a Family Law, Estate Planning and Probate attorney at the Fulton Law Firm in Houston, Texas.
Kelly's quarter horse specimens have been particularly successful, having substantial earnings through the American Paint Horse Association
American Paint Horse Association
The American Paint Horse Association is a breed registry for the American Paint Horse. It is currently headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas. It was founded in 1965 with the merging of two different color breed registries that had been formed to register pinto-colored horses of Quarter Horse bloodlines...
of Fort Worth
Fort Worth, Texas
Fort Worth is the 16th-largest city in the United States of America and the fifth-largest city in the state of Texas. Located in North Central Texas, just southeast of the Texas Panhandle, the city is a cultural gateway into the American West and covers nearly in Tarrant, Parker, Denton, and...
, Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
. One of his former legislative colleagues, Sixty Rayburn
Sixty Rayburn
Benjamin Burras Rayburn, Sr., known as B. B. "Sixty" Rayburn , was a veteran politician from Bogalusa, an incorporated city in Washington Parish in southeastern Louisiana in the United States...
of Bogalusa
Bogalusa, Louisiana
Bogalusa is a city in Washington Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 13,365 at the 2000 census. It is the principal city of the Bogalusa Micropolitan Statistical Area, which includes all of Washington Parish and is also part of the larger New Orleans–Metairie–Bogalusa...
, was also active in Louisiana horse racing. Kelly is also active in the Natchitoches chapter of the sportsmen's organization Ducks Unlimited
Ducks Unlimited
Ducks Unlimited is an international non-profit organization dedicated to the conservation of wetlands and associated upland habitats for waterfowl, other wildlife, and people. It currently has approximately 780,000 members, mostly in the United States and Canada.-Introduction:Ducks Unlimited was...
.
On February 2, 2008, Kelly was among the annual inductees into the Louisiana Political Museum and Hall of Fame
Louisiana Political Museum and Hall of Fame
The Louisiana Political Museum and Hall of Fame in Winnfield, Louisiana, highlights the careers of more than a hundred of the state’s leading politicians and political journalists. Because three governors, Huey P. Long, Jr., Oscar K...
in Winnfield, one of the larger communities in Senate District 31. A previous holder of the Natchitoches Parish Senate seat, Sylvan Friedman
Sylvan Friedman
Sylvan N. Friedman was a Louisiana politician, a rare Jewish member of both houses of the Louisiana State Legislature...
, was posthumously inducted into the organization in 2006.