Kelly announces bid for state rep.
Published Oct. 2, 2007
Former Rep. Chris Kelly, D-Columbia, announced Saturday he will challenge incumbent Rep. Ed Robb, R-Columbia, for the 24th District seat in the Missouri House of Representatives.
Recently retired as a Boone County judge, Kelly made his announcement near the Burr Oak Tree landmark on the Katy Trail near McBaine, Mo.
"I was pleased with the turnout," Kelly said. "It was a beautiful day, it was a beautiful location."
He said he is ready to re-enter politics with the intention of fighting for the interests of MU.
"I like being back in the fray," Kelly said. "I felt the same way I felt when Brady (Chancellor Deaton) made his announcement on the name change of the university."
Kelly said even though his campaign isn't directly related to the proposal to change the official name of MU from "the University of Missouri-Columbia" to "the University of Missouri," they both share a similar purpose.
"The University community has been dormant for some time, and we can't afford to be dormant, we've got to fight for the values of Mizzou," Kelly said. "I think the name change is symbolic of the waking tiger."
Kelly said his top priority is protecting MU.
"The number one issue in Columbia, Mo., is the continuing attacks by the extremists in Jefferson City on the constitutional independence of the University and the research role of the university," he said. "That's the single most important issue. It's important philosophically to keep the university independent, and it's important practically for the economic importance of the University."
Kelly said it's important to recognize that MU is economically important not only to Columbia but also to the state as a whole.
In a previous Maneater report, Robb said he is running for re-election to focus on right-to-work issues and tax reform.
"In a lot of states that surround Missouri, you don't have to work with unions," he said.
Robb said this means businesses might be more likely to look at those states to set up manufacturing plants.
"We need to make sure the next generation has jobs," he said. "Whatever it takes, we need to make sure it happens."
Kelly said he is taking a vacation for most of October and will focus on his campaign once he returns home.
