Curtis Kelly

This page was current at the end of the individual's last campaign covered by Ballotpedia. Please contact us with any updates.

Curtis Kelly

Democratic Party

Education

High school

Lavergne High School

Associate

Roane State Community College, 2024

Personal

Birthplace

Nashville, Tenn.

Profession

Software consultant

Contact

Campaign website

Campaign Twitter

Campaign Instagram

Campaign TikTok

Personal Facebook

Curtis Kelly (Democratic Party) ran for election to the Tennessee State Senate to represent District 12. He did not appear on the ballot for the general election on November 5, 2024.

Kelly completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Curtis Kelly was born in Nashville, Tennessee. He earned a high school diploma from Lavergne High School and an associate degree from Roane State Community College in 2024. His career experience includes working as a software consultant.

Elections

2024

See also: Tennessee State Senate elections, 2024

General election

General election for Tennessee State Senate District 12

Incumbent Ken Yager defeated Charles Hutson II in the general election for Tennessee State Senate District 12 on November 5, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Ken Yager (R)	85.6	77,286
		Charles Hutson II (Independent)	14.4	12,954

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 90,240
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Curtis Kelly (D)

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Tennessee State Senate District 12

Curtis Kelly advanced from the Democratic primary for Tennessee State Senate District 12 on August 1, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Curtis Kelly	100.0	2,933

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 2,933
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Republican primary election

Republican primary for Tennessee State Senate District 12

Incumbent Ken Yager defeated Teena Hedrick in the Republican primary for Tennessee State Senate District 12 on August 1, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Ken Yager	77.3	15,662
	Submit photo	Teena Hedrick	22.7	4,587

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 20,249
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Endorsements

Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Kelly in this election.

Campaign themes

2024

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Curtis Kelly completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Kelly's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Expand all | Collapse all

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

My name is Curtis Kelly and Iive in Fentress, county TN. I have lived in TN my entire life. I graduate in 2013 from Lavergne High School and shortly attended MTSU. My family moved to Cookeville for a few years and now we live in Clarkrange. I love video games and fishing. I am a hardworking individual who knows what it takes to get things done. I am not motivated by money and simply want to do what is right.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

• Women's Rights Women are strong and deserve to be the decision-makers for their own bodies. Too many laws have been enacted that harm women, and I am committed to repealing these unjust regulations. I firmly support access to abortion and the vital services provided by Planned Parenthood.
• Gun Legislation I believe that firearms require more stringent regulations. However, I do not support taking guns away from law-abiding citizens. I advocate for Red Flag laws and restrictions on automatic weapons, ensuring that current owners are not affected. Too many families have lost loved ones to gun violence, whether accidental or intentional. We have laws against murder, which deter most people from committing such acts. Therefore, the argument that "people will get guns anyway" is ineffective and lacks intelligence.
• Cannabis Legalization I believe that cannabis should be legalized at every level. States like Colorado have demonstrated the potential economic benefits, generating $15 billion in revenue. Legalization will also create jobs through the establishment of farms and processing plants, allowing small businesses to thrive with cannabis-themed enterprises. Colorado has proven that legalization does not lead to an increase in crime.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

believe in returning the power of government to the hands of the people. It is unacceptable that those who determine their own salaries are the same individuals who convince hardworking citizens that higher wages will be detrimental. I will work to raise the minimum wage and will reject any attempts to increase congressional salaries until this is achieved. Additionally, I will fight against lobbying, ensuring that representatives are elected based on the will of the people, not the interests of businesses.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

My mother. She worked and gave my sister and I everything she could at the cost of her own physical and mental health. She handled a abusive relationship with my father and she made sure to never give up. So neither will I.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

Not really. My message is simple, I want to help. I believe talking to people straight, there is no need for anything special, my message should speak for itself.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

A politician must be honest and willing to admit their mistakes. They should prioritize the well-being of others over their own interests. An elected official must listen more than they speak, as listening provides invaluable insights. Elected officials are chosen by the people with the expectation that they will address the public's wants and needs and act accordingly.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

I am honest. At the end of the day that is the best thing I can offer. Whether I am right or wrong I will be honest. I am here to serve the people, not to enrich myself. I am not motivated by money and will actively try and stop things like lobbying.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

represent a lower-income, lower-population district encompassing nine counties. Having witnessed exponential growth in every place I have lived, I am committed to helping the people of this district embrace and prepare for the inevitable growth they will experience. My goals include bringing jobs and essential services, such as hospitals, to these areas so residents do not have to drive hours for basic care. Additionally, I am dedicated to fixing the crumbling infrastructure to improve the quality of life for everyone in the district.

What legacy would you like to leave?

That young people are the change we need. The younger generations will always keep the older ones in check and make sure they stay instep with the rest of the community.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

Probably 9/11. I believe I was 6 or 7 in elementary school. I had no idea what had happened until later in life, but I do remember the tvs playing the news and thhen us leaving school early.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

I worked at Newk's Eatery for 5 years. I learned how to run a place effectively and that is where I learned that I put everything I have into my job and that will translate to my office. I even helped corporate open a new restaurant.

What is your favorite book? Why?

Probably 11/22/63 by Steven King, It was an awesome take on the JFK assassination and really the only book of his I read.

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

Spiderman - How cool would it be to zip around the city? Not to mention his spider sense and strength. Some people might not know that he frequently holds back his punches and that he could do some serious damage if he ever went full force.

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

The Dirt Man song from Tiktok

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

Money. It seems no matter what I do things always cost more and money never seems to go as far as it should.

What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and state legislature?

There needs to be the checks and balances, but mutual respect. They may not be the same Party, but doing everything to hinder the other side instead of the people gets us nowhere.

What do you perceive to be your state's greatest challenges over the next decade?

Stagnated wages, increase in population and the increased need for medical services of all kinds in lower income areas.

Do you believe that it’s beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics?

No. People that have years of experience in politics have shown us firsthand that does not make you a good elected official. In fact I believe non-politicians make the best ones, because we have the experience of normal people who struggle more so than those officials.

Do you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer.

Yes. So many people work together to make up the government, if you don't have some kind of knowledge or relationship with other officials, you can't find the best for your constituents.

Is there a particular legislator, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?

No. I am looking forward, not backward. I believe in what I stand for and there I will be the change that is needed.

Are you interested in running for a different political office (for example, the U.S. Congress or governor) in the future?

It is most definitely possible. If I can get elected this time and it goes well I always look to moving up.

Both sitting legislators and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?

I worked 15 years in kitchens and I know a lot of people who struggle because I worked with them. I see people clearly to old to need to be working breaking their worn out bodies in fast food places and grocery stores because they couldn't retire. We only live once, we need to try and make it the best for everyone.

Tell us your favorite joke.

A bear walks into a bar and says "Ill have a Rum......and coke" the barkeeper says "Why the big pause?" the bear replies "I was born with them".

Should the legislature oversee or grant the use of emergency powers?

Only if there is no way for it to be abused. If it can be used to remain in power indefinitely then no, we can create a committee or organization that can help check and balance emergency powers.

What is the first bill you would introduce if elected?

Cannabis legalization, including releasing and expunging the record of non-violent cannabis offenders.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

TN Advocates for Planned Parenthood, ChangeTN, Tennessee families for vaccines

What committees interest you?

I am willing to serve on any committee, confident that my hard work and dedication will ensure that whichever committee I am a part of remains committed to doing the right thing.

What are your views on financial transparency and government accountability?

I am not motivated by money and believe strongly that lobbying should be tightly regulated. Many elected officials receive excessive funds through donors, lobbyists, and other dubious means, which must be stopped. Money distracts from the true message and purpose of public service.

Would a state ballot initiative process be good or bad for your state?

It would be fantastic! TN already does not have this, which allows the government to do what they want and not what the people want. The people have a voice and it should be heard.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

Campaign finance summary

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Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.

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Curtis Kelly campaign contribution history

Year	Office	Status	Contributions	Expenditures
2024*	Tennessee State Senate District 12	Withdrew general	$1,733	$1,054
Grand total			$1,733	$1,054
Sources: OpenSecrets,  Federal Elections Commission ***This product uses the openFEC API but is not endorsed or certified by the Federal Election Commission (FEC).
* Data from this year may not be complete

See also

2024 Elections

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Candidate

Tennessee State Senate District 12

Website

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TikTok

Personal

Facebook

Footnotes

[show]

Current members of the Tennessee State Senate

Leadership

Senate President:Randy McNally

Minority Leader:Raumesh Akbari

Senators

District 1

J. Lowe (R)

District 2

Tom Hatcher (R)

District 3

Rusty Crowe (R)

District 4

Bobby Harshbarger (R)

District 5

Randy McNally (R)

District 6

Becky Massey (R)

District 7

Richard Briggs (R)

District 8

Jessie Seal (R)

District 9

Steve Southerland (R)

District 10

Todd Gardenhire (R)

District 11

Bo Watson (R)

District 12

Ken Yager (R)

District 13

Dawn White (R)

District 14

Shane Reeves (R)

District 15

Paul Bailey (R)

District 16

Janice Bowling (R)

District 17

Mark Pody (R)

District 18

Ferrell Haile (R)

District 19

Charlane Oliver (D)

District 20

Heidi Campbell (D)

District 21

Jeff Yarbro (D)

District 22

Bill Powers (R)

District 23

Kerry Roberts (R)

District 24

John Stevens (R)

District 25

Ed Jackson (R)

District 26

Page Walley (R)

District 27

Jack Johnson (R)

District 28

Joey Hensley (R)

District 29

Raumesh Akbari (D)

District 30

Sara Kyle (D)

District 31

Brent Taylor (R)

District 32

Paul Rose (R)

District 33

London Lamar (D)

Republican Party (27)

Democratic Party (6)