Randy Kelly (born August 2, 1950) is an American politician who served as the 38th Mayor of St. Paul, Minnesota, from 2002 to 2006. A member of the Democratic-Farmer-Labor (DFL) Party throughout most of his career, Kelly held various elected offices at the state and county levels before his mayoral tenure.
Early Life and Education
Born in St. Paul, Minnesota, Randy Kelly graduated from St. Paul Central High School. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Minnesota and later his Juris Doctor from Hamline University School of Law.Political Career
Kelly's political career began in the Minnesota Legislature.- Minnesota House of Representatives (1975–1979): Kelly was first elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives, representing District 65A.
- Ramsey County Commissioner (1980–1991): After serving in the House, he was elected to the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners, where he served for over a decade.
- Minnesota Senate (1991–2002): Kelly successfully ran for the Minnesota Senate, representing District 65, and served there for more than a decade until his election as mayor. During his time in the legislature, he gained a reputation for focusing on public safety and budget issues.
Mayor of St. Paul (2002–2006)
Randy Kelly was elected Mayor of St. Paul in 2001, succeeding Norm Coleman. His mayoral administration focused on public safety, economic development, and fiscal responsibility.- Public Safety: Kelly adopted a "tough on crime" approach, emphasizing increased police presence and efforts to reduce crime rates in the city.
- Economic Development: His term saw efforts to revitalize parts of the city and attract new businesses.
- 2004 Presidential Endorsement: A significant and controversial event during his mayoralty was his endorsement of Republican President George W. Bush for re-election in 2004. This decision was highly unusual for a prominent DFL politician and caused a deep rift with his own party and many of his constituents.
- Re-election Bid: The controversy surrounding his endorsement of President Bush significantly impacted his re-election campaign in 2005. He lost his bid for a second term to Chris Coleman, marking a notable shift in St. Paul's political landscape.