Meet Kelly

Before I ask for your vote, you deserve to know me.

Here’s where I come from — and why I’m running.

I’m a native daughter of East Tennessee—born and raised on the outskirts of Dandridge near the Sevier County line—and I now live in Oak Ridge. My story begins with humble roots and a distinctly Appalachian sense of grit and self-reliance. My father, an electrician, built the modest ranch home our family shared on land owned by his family since the early 1900s. The property itself is family lore: my grandfather acquired it in a trade—two mules and a wagon in exchange for a farmable plot with a spring in the foothills of the Smokies. Remote and rustic, the outhouse still stands today.

Growing up, neighbors with kids were far and few between, but I never lacked for a rich world—books, pets, chores, and the great outdoors. Those early years sparked a lifelong love of learning, nature, and animal companionship that still defines me today. But the simplicity of rural life didn’t last forever. By middle school, my parents separated, and in the midst of that upheaval my mother suffered a heart attack barely over 40—the first of many health challenges that would affect both parents over time. Not long after, my mother, my sister, and I relocated to Richmond, Virginia to be near extended family for support, while my sister and I continued returning to East Tennessee regularly to spend time with our father.

Life became much harder. As my mother’s health declined and eventually forced her out of the workforce, I saw what it looks like when a family’s stability takes deep cuts. I spent much of high school watching my family struggle with little to no income, relying on limited retirement payouts and government support. That experience shaped my character and convictions: people who are struggling are not bad people, and getting help when you need it shouldn’t carry shame. It also sharpened my resolve to pursue a stable future through education and hard work, choosing a challenging path and persevering even when circumstances were difficult.

After earning a degree in Chemical and Life Science Engineering, I gained valuable experience in Richmond in research and development—supporting projects such as lighter, stronger protective helmets for the military and chemistry optimization for fuel additives aimed at cleaner, higher-efficiency performance. Later, I moved with my family to Jersey City, New Jersey in pursuit of opportunity. During this chapter, I experienced firsthand how quickly a family’s plans can be overtaken by events beyond their control, including serious pregnancy complications that led to an emergency C-section and time in the NICU. The experience reinforced my belief that health care must be accessible and affordable, and that families deserve the freedom to make medical decisions with their doctors—without political interference.

In late 2018, I returned to Tennessee to raise my daughter and help care for my aging parents, securing a job at the Y-12 National Security Complex. I purchased a home in Oak Ridge in 2020, which I share with my daughter, my partner, and my partner’s two children. I later served as a full-time caregiver for my mother during the final five years of her life—an experience that shaped my focus on health care access, aging with dignity, and support for caregivers.

I work as an engineer and technical advisor at Y-12, where I help leadership solve complex problems, improve safety and performance, and make responsible, data-informed decisions in high-stakes environments. That same approach defines my leadership style: calm, practical, and focused on results—not performance.

You won’t find a long list of political activity on my resume—and that’s part of my message. I believe Tennessee doesn’t need another politician; it needs a representative who will do the work. I’m running at a time when service is a sacrifice, not a feather in the cap—and I’m standing anyway, because bringing real change to the Tennessee General Assembly is too important to leave to the loudest voices.