Meet Kelly

Rep. Kelly Flood has served in the Kentucky House of Representatives since 2008.In the Legislature, she serves on the following House committees: Appropriations and Revenue; Health and Welfare; Education; Judiciary; Tourism Development and Energy; and Appropriations Subcommittee on Postsecondary Education.

Rep. Flood also was appointed by Speaker Stumbo to the Kentucky Access to Justice Commission. Convened by Chief Justice John Minton, Jr., the 30-member group of judicial, legislative and business leaders are committed to increasing civil legal aid to Kentuckians across the Commonwealth.

REP. FLOOD'S BACKGROUND

After graduating from Florida State University in 1981, Kelly immediately devoted herself to progressive political issues. She spent a year on the campaign to pass the Equal Rights Amendment. She served for two years as an aide to a Florida state legislator, and two more at a non-profit consumer-protection agency.

Kelly's early experience in state politics showed her how the levers work. She researched bills, listened to affected parties and helped write bills. She lobbied legislators and forged compromises. She sat in as the final deals were cut. She learned the importance of combining tenacity and realism to achieve results.

In the late 1980s, Kelly felt a call to ministry and attended four years of seminary. She and her husband then chose to make their home in Lexington, where she served as senior minister at the Unitarian Universalist Church from 1991 to 1998. Here, she led interfaith organizations designed to heal divisions among races, ethnic groups, and faith communities. She spoke out forcefully for women's reproductive freedom, racial fairness, and gay/lesbian rights.

For the past decade, Kelly has raised more than $10 million for progressive causes: as vice president for a liberal religious theological school; as an activist and board member for such non-profits as Kentucky Council for Community and Justice and the Carnegie Center for Literacy and Learning; and as a volunteer in the Steve Kay for Council and Barack Obama for President campaigns.

Since 1987, she has been married to Neil Chethik, an author and writer-in-residence at the Carnegie Center for Literacy and Learning. They have a son, Evan, who attends the School for the Creative and Performing Arts (SCAPA) at Lafayette High School. 

Kelly and her family have lived in the 75th District since 1991.