Meet Kelly

Rep. Kelly Flood was elected to the Kentucky House of Representatives in 2008. In the Legislature, she currently serves on the following committees: Education; Judiciary; Tourism Development and Energy; Appropriations Subcommittee on Postsecondary Education (vice chair).

This summer, Rep. Flood was appointed to a newly-formed Poverty Task Force, chaired by House Speaker Greg Stumbo and State Senator Brandon Smith. The bi-partisan taskforce will work with the University of Kentucky Center for Poverty Research to identify promising anti-poverty efforts across the country that may be adaptable for Kentuckians.

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 15-year-old 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.