Mike Kelly (Alaska politician)
Encyclopedia
Michael P. "Mike" Kelly was a Republican
member of the Alaska House of Representatives
, representing the 7th District from 2005 until 2011. In the 26th Alaska State Legislature
, he served on the Finance Committee, chairing the Corrections and the Natural Resources Finance Subcommittee. He also served on the Fish & Game Finance Subcommittee.
, a 24-year-old carpenter who would later become better known for his involvement in the militia movement, by an approximately 51 to 36 percent margin. In the general election, he was re-elected by only 4 votes against Karl Kassel
, who had recently retired as head of parks and recreation for the Fairbanks North Star Borough.
in 1960, attended Seattle University
from 1960–1961, and received his Bachelor of Business Administration
from the University of Alaska in 1966.
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...
member of the Alaska House of Representatives
Alaska House of Representatives
The Alaska House of Representatives is the lower house in the Alaska Legislature, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Alaska. The House is composed of 40 members, each of whom represents a district of about 15,673 people . Members serve two-year terms without term limits...
, representing the 7th District from 2005 until 2011. In the 26th Alaska State Legislature
26th Alaska State Legislature
The 26th Alaska State Legislature was elected in November 2008.-Sessions:* First session: January 20, 2009–May 19, 2009* Special session: August 10, 2009* Second session: January 19, 2010–April 18, 2010...
, he served on the Finance Committee, chairing the Corrections and the Natural Resources Finance Subcommittee. He also served on the Fish & Game Finance Subcommittee.
Prior to politics
Kelly retired as the President and CEO of GVEA in 2000, and was working as a commuter airline pilot for Tanana Air Service at the time of his election to the State House. He served a single term on the University of Alaska Board of Regents, from 1991 to 1999, serving as president of the board from 1996 to 1998.Political career
Kelly is the older brother of Pete Kelly, who represented Fairbanks in the Alaska House from 1995 to 1999, and the Alaska Senate from 1999 to 2003. Mike Kelly ran for an open House seat in 2004, defeating a primary opponent and 3 opponents on the general election ballot. Most of his time in office was spent dealing with solutions to problems brought on by the public employee retirement system in Alaska and the potential for future budget problems due to unfunded liabilities. This angered the old-timer and conservative constituencies who originally voted for him, as he mainly talked about building large-scale development projects. The solution he achieved, which would have resulted in lesser benefits for newer public employees than the ones who came before, also angered the public employee sector. They began to target Kelly for defeat.2008 campaign
In 2008, Kelly faced two primary challegers. He defeated Schaeffer CoxSchaeffer Cox
Schaeffer Cox is an American political activist, the founder of the Alaska Peacemakers Militia.Cox was an attendee of Continental Congress 2009. He was also an organizing member of the Fairbanks based Second Amendment Task Force...
, a 24-year-old carpenter who would later become better known for his involvement in the militia movement, by an approximately 51 to 36 percent margin. In the general election, he was re-elected by only 4 votes against Karl Kassel
Karl Kassel
Karl Kassel is a Democrat who in 2008 ran for the Alaska House of Representatives from district 7 . The result was notable in that after a recount he lost by only 4 votes.-Biography:He was born in 1952 in New York...
, who had recently retired as head of parks and recreation for the Fairbanks North Star Borough.
2010 campaign
In 2010, he was defeated for reelection by Bob Miller, a former television anchor. Political action committees were formed specifically to oppose Kelly. Advertisements pointing out his actions on the public employee retirement issue, presented in contrast with his own retirement package from Golden Valley Electric Association, were a constant presence during the 2010 campaign season.Personal life
Kelly has a wife: Cherie, five children: Roxanne, Shannon, Erin, Cecilia & James, and 12 grandchildren. He graduated from Monroe High SchoolMonroe Catholic High School
Monroe Catholic High School is a private, Roman Catholic high school in Fairbanks, Alaska. It is the only Catholic high school in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Fairbanks. It is the northernmost Roman Catholic high school in the Americas.-Background:...
in 1960, attended Seattle University
Seattle University
Seattle University is a Jesuit Catholic university located in the First Hill neighborhood of Seattle, Washington, USA.SU is the largest independent university in the Northwest US, with over 7,500 students enrolled in undergraduate and graduate programs within eight schools, and is one of 28 member...
from 1960–1961, and received his Bachelor of Business Administration
Bachelor of Business Administration
The Bachelor of Business Administration is a bachelor's degree in Commerce and business administration. In most universities, the degree is conferred upon a student after four years of full-time study in one or more areas of business concentrations; see below...
from the University of Alaska in 1966.