# David G. Kelley

David G. Kelley (born October 11, 1928) is an American farmer and politician from California and a member of the Republican Party.
A graduate of the Army and Navy Academy Class of 1947, Kelley attended California State Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo, majoring in citrus fruit production. His education was interrupted by service as a pilot in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean conflict. A successful citrus rancher in the Hemet, California area for more than 40 years, he has been active in the Riverside County Farm Bureau since 1955, and has served as both president and vice president, as well as on the board of directors of the California Farm Bureau Federation.
Kelley also has served as director of the Hemet-San Jacinto Basin Resource Conservation District.

## 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. Kelley would hold the seat (renumbered the 73rd after the 1981 reapportionment) with little trouble for 6 more terms. 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.

## 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. 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. 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.
Kelley is currently an Emeritus Trustee of the Army and Navy Academy.

## Electoral history

Member, California State Assembly: 1978–1992; 2001–03 Member, California State Senate : 1992–2000 :
| 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% |