David G. Kelley
David G. Kelley | |
|---|---|
| Member of the California Senate from the 37th district | |
| In office December 7, 1992 – November 30, 2000 | |
| Preceded by | Marian Bergeson |
| Succeeded by | Jim Battin |
| Member of the California State Assembly | |
| In office December 4, 2000 – November 30, 2002 | |
| Preceded by | Jim Battin |
| Succeeded by | Bonnie Garcia |
| Constituency | 80th district (2000–2002) |
| In office December 4, 1978 – November 30, 1992 | |
| Preceded by | Tom Suitt |
| Succeeded by | Julie Bornstein |
| Constituency | 75th district (1978–1982) 73rd district (1982–1992) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | October 11, 1928 Riverside, California, U.S. |
| Died | September 24, 2025 (aged 96) |
| Party | Republican |
| Spouse | Brigitte |
| Children | 4 |
| Alma mater | California State Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo |
| Occupation | Businessman |
| Military service | |
| Branch | United States Air Force |
| Conflict | Korean War |
David Gerald Kelley (October 11, 1928 – September 24, 2025) was an American farmer[1] and politician from California who was 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 was active in the Riverside County Farm Bureau from 1955,[1] and served as both president and vice president, as well as on the board of directors of the California Farm Bureau Federation.[1]
Kelley also served as director of the Hemet-San Jacinto Basin Resource Conservation District.[2]
Kelley died on September 24, 2025, at the age of 96.[3]
State Assembly
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.[4] 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.[5]
State Senate
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.[6] 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.[7] 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 was an Emeritus Trustee of the Army and Navy Academy.[8]
Electoral history
| 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
- ^ a b c d e f "ANA Alumni Senator David Kelley '47 | Golder 'A' Recipient". Aug 1, 2018. Retrieved Apr 5, 2024.
- ^ a b c "JoinCalifornia – David G. Kelley". www.joincalifornia.com. Retrieved Apr 5, 2024.
- ^ "David Gerald Kelley". Dignity Memorial. 2025-09-26. Retrieved 2025-10-03.
- ^ "JoinCalifornia – 11-07-1978 Election". www.joincalifornia.com. Retrieved Apr 5, 2024.
- ^ "JoinCalifornia – S. R. "Al" Lopez". www.joincalifornia.com. Retrieved Apr 5, 2024.
- ^ California Journal Vol. XXIII, No.5 (May 1992) "Election 1992". StateNet Publications, July 1992
- ^ California Journal Vol. XXIII, No.7 (July 1992) "Complete Primary Results". StateNet Publications, July 1992
- ^ "Board and Financials". Army and Navy Academy. Archived from the original on 9 April 2024.
External links
- JoinCalifornia, Election History for the State of California