David G. Kelley

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David G. Kelley
Member of the California Senate
from the 37th district
In office
December 7, 1992 – November 30, 2000
Preceded byMarian Bergeson
Succeeded byJim Battin
Member of the California State Assembly
In office
December 4, 2000 – November 30, 2002
Preceded byJim Battin
Succeeded byBonnie Garcia
Constituency75th district (1978–1982)
73rd district (1982–1992)
37th district (1992–2000)

80th district (2000–2002)
In office
December 4, 1978 – November 30, 1992
Preceded byTom Suitt
Succeeded byJulie Bornstein
Personal details
Born (1928-10-11) October 11, 1928 (age 95)
Riverside, California
Political partyRepublican
SpouseBrigitte
Children4
Alma materCalifornia State Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo
OccupationBusinessman
Military service
Branch/service United States Air Force
Battles/warsKorean War

David G. Kelley (born October 11, 1928, in Riverside, California) is an American farmer[1] and politician from California and a member of the Republican Party.

A graduate of the Army and Navy Academy Class of 1947,[1] Kelley attended California State Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo, majoring in citrus fruit production.[1] His education was interrupted by service as a pilot in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean conflict.[1] A successful citrus rancher in the Hemet, California area for more than 40 years, he has been active in the Riverside County Farm Bureau since 1955,[1] and has served as both president and vice president, as well as on the board of directors of the California Farm Bureau Federation.[1]

Kelley also has served as director of the Hemet-San Jacinto Basin Resource Conservation District.[2]

State Assembly[edit]

In 1978, Kelley ran for the 75th district in the California State Assembly and ousted 2-term incumbent Tom Suitt (D-Palm Springs) in what turned out to be a great year for down ballot Republicans across the state.[3] Kelley would hold the seat (renumbered the 73rd after the 1981 reapportionment) with little trouble for 6 more terms.[2] The only time a sitting elected official challenged Kelley was in 1984 when then Democratic Corona city councilman S.R. "Al" Lopez made the run, but failed to make an impression.[4]

State Senate[edit]

In 1992 Kelley decided to run for the redrawn (and open) 37th district in the California State Senate. He faced his assembly colleague Carol Bentley (R-El Cajon) in the primary, both candidates among the more mild-mannered legislators.[5] Nevertheless, the race became heated. Kelley repeatedly hit Bentley over her ethics, with his specific attacks over her "ghost voting" (leaving her voting card behind while she was away from the Capitol and allowing other members to vote for her) throwing her campaign off balance. [6] Kelley prevailed with 52% of the vote.

He was reelected to the state senate in 1996 and served one additional term in the assembly (2001–03) before retiring from elective office.[2]

Kelley is currently an Emeritus Trustee of the Army and Navy Academy.[7]

Electoral history[edit]

Member, California State Assembly: 1978–1992; 2001–03
Member, California State Senate : 1992–2000
Year Office Democrat Votes Pct Republican Votes Pct
1978 California State Assembly
District 75
Tom Suitt 42,191 42.3% David G. Kelley 57,449 57.7%
1980 California State Assembly
District 75
Daryl Gill 31,397 24.6% David G. Kelley 88,884 68.7%
1982 California State Assembly
District 73
Julius Scher 37,196 36% David G. Kelley 84,963 64%
1984 California State Assembly
District 73
S. R. "Al" Lopez 44,037 32% David G. Kelley 93,545 68%
1986 California State Assembly
District 73
Byron Powell 36,184 33.5% David G. Kelley 71,795 65.5%
1988 California State Assembly
District 73
Erlinda Rodriguez Parker 45,930 29.9% David G. Kelley 103,038 67.1%
1990 California State Assembly
District 73
Ray Strait 54,716 43.8% David G. Kelley 70,161 56.2%
1992 California State Senate
District 37
James Rickard 101,872 37.7% Carol Bentley 48%
David G. Kelley 52%
141,970 52.5%
1996 California State Senate
District 37
Hans Alfred Schroeder 75,943 29.6% David G. Kelley 157,090 61.1%
2000 California State Assembly
District 80
Joey Acuna Jr. 53,849 44% David G. Kelley 63,848 52.2%

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e f "ANA Alumni Senator David Kelley '47 | Golder 'A' Recipient". Aug 1, 2018. Retrieved Apr 5, 2024.
  2. ^ a b c "JoinCalifornia – David G. Kelley". www.joincalifornia.com. Retrieved Apr 5, 2024.
  3. ^ "JoinCalifornia – 11-07-1978 Election". www.joincalifornia.com. Retrieved Apr 5, 2024.
  4. ^ "JoinCalifornia – S. R. "Al" Lopez". www.joincalifornia.com. Retrieved Apr 5, 2024.
  5. ^ California Journal Vol. XXIII, No.5 (May 1992) "Election 1992". StateNet Publications, July 1992
  6. ^ California Journal Vol. XXIII, No.7 (July 1992) "Complete Primary Results". StateNet Publications, July 1992
  7. ^ https://dev.armyandnavyacademy.org/about/board-and-financials/

External links[edit]

California Assembly
Preceded by Member of the California State Assembly
75th/
73rd District

December 4, 1978 – November 30, 1992
Succeeded by
California Senate
Preceded by Member of the California State
from the 37th district

November 30, 1992 – November 30, 2000
Succeeded by