Steve Kelley (politician)
Steve P. Kelley (born January 8, 1953) is an American politician and lawyer who previously served in the Minnesota Senate from 1997 to 2007. A member of the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party (DFL), he previously served in the Minnesota House of Representatives from 1993 to 1997.
Steve Kelley | |
|---|---|
![]() Kelley in 2009 | |
| Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Commerce | |
| In office January 7, 2019 – September 11, 2020 | |
| Governor | Tim Walz |
| Preceded by | Jessica Looman |
| Succeeded by | Grace Arnold |
| Member of the Minnesota Senate from the 44th district | |
| In office January 7, 1997 – January 2, 2007 | |
| Preceded by | Ted Mondale |
| Succeeded by | Ron Latz |
| Member of the Minnesota House of Representatives from the 44A district | |
| In office January 5, 1993 – January 6, 1997 | |
| Preceded by | redrawn district |
| Succeeded by | Betty Folliard |
| Personal details | |
| Born | January 8, 1953 Minnetonka, Minnesota, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic (DFL) |
| Spouse | Sophie Bell |
| Children | 2 |
| Education | Williams College (B.A.) Columbia University (J.D.) |
Biography
Kelley is currently a Senior Fellow at the Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota and the Deputy Director of the Center for Integrative Leadership. Kelley ran for Governor of Minnesota in 2006 and 2010 and Attorney General in 2006. In 2006, he received the Democratic-Farmer-Labor endorsement for Attorney General but lost in the primary.
While serving in the Minnesota Senate, Kelley was a proponent of a new stadium deal for the Minnesota Twins, and was a principal sponsor of the controversial 0.15 percent sales tax increase in Hennepin County, the proceeds of which will be used to fund approximately three-fourths of the projected cost of the new ballpark in addition to a number of transit projects in the metro area.
Kelley received his B.A. from Williams College and his J.D. from the Columbia Law School.
In early 2007, Kelley joined the Blandin Foundation Broadband Strategy Board, which is working towards a broadband vision for Minnesota: To ensure a high quality of life and a globally competitive future for its citizens, businesses and communities, Minnesota is committed to making the necessary investment to become a world leader in the universal deployment and use of ultra high-speed next generation broadband.
He served in as the Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Commerce under Governor Tim Walz before being forced out by the Republican controlled senate in September 2020.[1]
Personal life
He is married to Sophie Kelley and has two adult children.
Electoral history
- 2006 Race for state Attorney General - Democratic Primary
- Lori Swanson (DFL), 42%
- Steve Kelley (DFL), 37%
- Bill Luther (DFL), 21%
References
- "Minnesota Senate ousts Commerce Commissioner Steve Kelley". www.kare11.com. September 11, 2020. Retrieved 2023-05-15.
