TALLADEGA, Ala. – In Talladega County Circuit Judge Chad Woodruff’s courtroom Wednesday afternoon, Nov. 30, new Alabama State Senator for District 12, Keith Kelley (R), took his Oath of Office in front of friends and family.
Judge Woodruff presided over Senator Kelley’s Oath of Office which took place at 2:30 p.m.
Kelley spoke after being sworn in and during his speech, he thanked those in attendance and talked about his commitment to God and his faith.
“I felt called by God to run for this office,” Senator Kelley expressed. “If you do what God wants you to do, God will bless that and people will see that. God does not compare you to everyone else. He compares you to what you are supposed to do.”
Kelley won a tight Republican primary race over Wendy Ghee Draper that included a runoff before running away in the general election over Democratic nominee Danny McCullars.
Self-considered as a political outsider, Kelley is the former President of Harris-McKay Realty. He held the position for over 26 years.
During that time, he also served as the President of the Alabama Association of Realtors and on the National Association of Realtors board of directors.
“I’m a small business guy,” remarked Kelley. “I can talk to you about small business all day long.”
After the BP oil spill in 2010, Kelley volunteered a year’s worth of his time to helping the state recover from the disaster. Most notably, he was considered instrumental in gaining positive feedback and results in negotiations with representatives of former President Barack Obama’s administration.
Kelley mentioned his desire to continue improving mental health awareness and programs in his district. A long-time advocate for proper mental health care, Kelley has helped pass a host of bills into law dealing with both mental health and small business practice.
Kelley officially assumed office on Nov. 9. His term runs until Nov. 4, 2026.
