Mike Kelly
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Contact
Mike Kelly (Republican Party) ran for election to the Washington State Senate to represent District 4. He lost in the primary on August 6, 2024.
Kelly completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. Click here to read the survey answers.
Biography
Mike Kelly's career experience includes working as a CFO.[1]
Elections
2024
See also: Washington State Senate elections, 2024
General election
Nonpartisan primary election
Campaign finance
Endorsements
2024
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Mike Kelly completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Kelly's responses.
Who are you? Tell us about yourself.
I grew up middle-class in the Portland, Oregon, area as an average kid who participated in the community through church, sports, and scouting. My wife Kristi and I made the decision to relocate to Spokane Valley in 2019 because we love this area of Washington and to be closer to family. Recognizing the importance of community involvement, I actively sought ways to contribute to Spokane Valley's growth in alignment with conservative values. This led me to engage in political campaigns, connect with the local Republican Party, and, recently, to my appointment to the Planning Commission for the City of Spokane Valley. I continue to remain active in our local church community.
I have a long and varied history as a financial planner, insurance agent, tax preparer, paralegal, property manager and owner of various businesses. Through my successes and failures, I have come to understand the importance of justice and accountability firsthand, and I am committed to advocating for the protection of our citizens, our business owners, and addressing the issues plaguing our state. Washington is at a crossroads, with radical ideologies overshadowing common sense.
Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?
- Local control is of paramount importance to the long-term health and functioning of a Constitutional Republic. The best way to preserve liberty and promote prosperity is to have laws, policies, and regulations determined by local authorities as much as possible. This promotes awareness of the policies, as well as the process, and invites participation by the citizens. If policy and its implementing legislation prove to be unpopular, the officials responsible can better persuade the electorate of the benefits or wisdom of the policy, or the citizens can better advocate for changes. In all, policy and laws are more likely to be influenced by local input and if necessary, local officials can be replaced by their constituents more easily.
- One fundamental purpose of government is to protect its citizens. This is commonly interpreted to mean from foreign enemies. However, just as important and inherent in the theory behind delegating power to government, is that government and those by whom it is administered have an obligation to protect and preserve the liberty, freedoms, and prosperity of its citizens. Elected public servants should consider themselves duty bound to craft and approve legislation that will protect our future by providing the next generation an effective education, advocate for fiscal responsibility, safe streets, affordable energy and basic necessities, and by leaving the economy as uninhibited as possible to operate on free-market principles.
- I would suggest that all our problems today are a symptom of a spiritual malaise that permeates society. We have stopped believing in something higher and greater than ourselves, which has left us feeling hopeless and without purpose. Consequently, many people have sought fulfillment in activities and vices that are destructive in the long term. The younger generation expresses a lack of hope for the future, which manifests itself in a lack of motivation and action. This, in turn, results in an inability to support themselves or a desire to work toward building a future. If we collectively agree and acknowledge that there is a higher power, regardless of the form, we can return a sense of purpose and fulfillment to our communities.
What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?
I’ve heard the heartfelt concerns of parents and grandparents throughout District 4. Consequently, education has emerged as a priority. Control of our education policy and curriculum has been increasingly overtaken by Olympia, rendering our school boards less a policy setting body implementing local priorities and values, but an administrative agency tasked with implementing and locating financing for the values of others who we don’t know and, more importantly, don’t know us. We’re seeing sexualized curriculum being pushed into our communities while the role of parents is being stripped away. The role of parents and their right to know exactly what is being taught in schools is fundamental. Olympia should not be usurping parental rights.
Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?
I admire the examples of men like George Washington, Abraham Lincoln and Ronald Reagan. All served selflessly despite having other interests in their lives which they would have preferred to pursue. But their passion and concern for the issues of their day caused them to set aside personal comfort, safety, and privacy to help solve the problems they viewed as important.
Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?
The films Mr. Smith Goes to Washington and A Man for All Seasons.
What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?
Integrity to the principles and priorities upon which the official was elected. The ability to communicate and understand complex issues.
What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?
Adherence to the Constitutions of the United States and Washington, to be fiscally responsible to the funds confiscated from the populace, and protection from excessive taxes and regulations.
What legacy would you like to leave?
To return local control of our school curriculum and policy choices to our school boards. To reduce property taxes and other costs of housing for all citizens.
What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?
Watergate and the resignation of Richard Nixon in August 1974. I was nine years old.
What was your very first job? How long did you have it?
Worked nearly three months at a summer job in the warehouse of a tile roofing company participating in the manufacturing process, as well as receiving materials and loading trucks.
What is your favorite book? Why?
1776 by David McCullough. It depicts the events of the American Revolutionary War with an emphasis on the miraculous nature of both the individual events and the outcome.
What was the last song that got stuck in your head?
Battle Hymn of the Republic.
What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and state legislature?
As the chief executive officer of the state, the Governor’s role is to oversee the implementation and administration of the policy and priorities established by the Legislature in its capacity as the voice of the people. The Legislature is to act as a check on the authority and policy decisions of the Executive in pursuit of that responsibility. The ideal relationship would be that they cooperate with the ultimate goal of advancing good policies that reflect the will and common good of the citizens. However, never should the two conspire to deprive the people of their right to life, liberty or property.
What do you perceive to be your state's greatest challenges over the next decade?
Finding common sense solutions to concerns about fundamental and significant problems such as homelessness, public safety, education, and inflation. Current approaches to these issues are neither feasible, effective, nor affordable. Changing attitudes and bringing thoughtful, rational solutions to our problems will be a challenge.
Do you believe that it’s beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics?
It is helpful, but it is far from the most important qualification. More important would be real life experiences in business and its interaction with government, a sincere desire and inherent ability to understand complex problems, and the desire to listen to and work with others are far more important.
Do you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer.
Every effective legislator has built relationships with their fellow legislators. The process of building those relationships facilitates a better understanding of another’s ideas, priorities and experience, which in turn allows for an appreciation for their position on important issues. It fosters camaraderie and a spirit of cooperation necessary to effectively promote the interests of your constituents. Further, there is much to be learned from others who have had different experiences from yours.
Is there a particular legislator, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?
Senator Mike Padden, who is retiring from the seat I am seeking, is considered one of the most effective legislators of recent years for his ability to get along with all his fellow lawmakers. He has been recognized time and again for his civility and cooperation. I would seek to live up to that example so that I may also be effective in advocating for my constituents.
Are you interested in running for a different political office (for example, the U.S. Congress or governor) in the future?
I hope to be a dedicated public servant and to be the voice of the 4th Legislative District to the best of my ability for the next four years.
Both sitting legislators and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?
I have spoken to many citizens at their doorstep and have heard many stories. The theme that has emerged from parents and grandparents across the district is concern for our schools and the monumental shift from instructing on the fundamental knowledge and skills necessary to succeed in a competitive and expensive world to one political in nature and advocating for a certain world view that most do not support, and they find counterproductive. Also, these education mandates are unfunded and are unaffordable in the long term.
Should the legislature oversee or grant the use of emergency powers?
Absolutely. Emergency powers have their place, but only in rare and extreme circumstances. But, as previously stated, one of the primary functions of the Legislature is to protect the rights and freedoms of the people by watching over and keeping check on the Executive Branch and its head, the Governor.
What is the first bill you would introduce if elected?
I would seek to strengthen parental rights to transparency in the educational process, primarily in K-12. I would also like to see parents have more opportunities and support to those who home school if they so choose.
What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?
Conservative Ladies of Washington
What committees interest you?
Based on my background and experience, Transportation, Law and Justice, and Budget would be my top three.
What are your views on financial transparency and government accountability?
Working with the State Auditor to review expenditures to see that money allocated to agencies is spent as intended.
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
Campaign finance summary
Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.
See also
External links
- ↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on May 28, 2024
Leadership
Majority Leader:Jamie Pedersen
Minority Leader:John Braun
Senators
Democratic Party (30)
Republican Party (19)
