Jewel Kelly, Jr.

Jewel Kelly, Jr. (Democratic Party) ran for election to the U.S. Senate to represent Missouri. He lost in the Democratic primary on August 2, 2022.

Kelly completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2021. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Jewel Kelly was born in Chicago, Illinois. He served in the U.S. Air Force from 2001 to 2011. Kelly earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in 1997 and a graduate degree from Olivet Nazarene University in 2002. In 2018, he earned a second graduate degree from Washington University in St. Louis School of Law.

Kelly’s career experience includes working as a licensed real estate agent and small business owner. Previously, he was a program and operations manager for an American multinational conglomerate. Kelly founded A Fighting Chance Foundation, a mental health and suicide awareness nonprofit.^[1]^[2]

Elections

2022

General election

General election for U.S. Senate Missouri

The following candidates ran in the general election for U.S. Senate Missouri on November 8, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Eric Schmitt (R)	55.4	1,146,966
		Trudy Busch Valentine (D)	42.2	872,694
		Jonathan Dine (L)	1.7	34,821
		Paul Venable (Constitution Party)	0.7	14,608
	Submit photo	Nathan Mooney (Independent) (Write-in)	0.0	14
	Submit photo	Steve Price (Independent) (Write-in)	0.0	9
		Rik Combs (Independent) (Write-in)	0.0	6
		Gina Bufe (Independent) (Write-in)	0.0	5
		Theodis Brown Sr. (Independent) (Write-in)	0.0	4
	Submit photo	David Kirk (Independent) (Write-in)	0.0	3
	Submit photo	Martin Lindstedt (Independent) (Write-in)	0.0	0

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 2,069,130
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Nicholas Strauss (Independent)
Ronald Deets (Independent)
John Wood (Independent)

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for U.S. Senate Missouri

The following candidates ran in the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate Missouri on August 2, 2022.

	Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Trudy Busch Valentine	43.2	158,957
	Lucas Kunce	38.3	141,203
	Spencer Toder	4.7	17,465
	Carla Wright	3.9	14,438
	Gena Ross	2.4	8,749
	Jewel Kelly, Jr.	1.8	6,464
	Lewis Rolen	1.4	5,247
	Pat Kelly	1.4	5,002
	Ronald William Harris	1.1	4,074
	Joshua Shipp	0.9	3,334
	Clarence Taylor	0.9	3,322

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 368,255
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Republican primary election

Republican primary for U.S. Senate Missouri

The following candidates ran in the Republican primary for U.S. Senate Missouri on August 2, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Eric Schmitt	45.6	299,282
		Vicky Hartzler	22.1	144,903
		Eric Greitens	18.9	124,155
		Billy Long	5.0	32,603
		Mark McCloskey	3.0	19,540
		Dave Schatz	1.1	7,509
	Submit photo	Patrick Lewis	0.9	6,085
		Curtis D. Vaughn	0.5	3,451
	Submit photo	Eric McElroy	0.4	2,805
	Submit photo	Robert Allen	0.3	2,111
		C.W. Gardner	0.3	2,044
	Submit photo	Dave Sims	0.3	1,949
		Bernie Mowinski	0.2	1,602
	Submit photo	Deshon Porter	0.2	1,574
		Darrell Leon McClanahan III	0.2	1,139
	Submit photo	Rickey Joiner	0.2	1,084
	Submit photo	Robert Olson	0.2	1,081
	Submit photo	Dennis Lee Chilton	0.1	755
		Russel Pealer Breyfogle Jr	0.1	685
	Submit photo	Kevin Schepers	0.1	681
	Submit photo	Hartford Tunnell	0.1	637

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 655,675
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Constitution primary election

Constitution primary for U.S. Senate Missouri

Paul Venable advanced from the Constitution primary for U.S. Senate Missouri on August 2, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Paul Venable	100.0	792

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 792
= 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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Libertarian primary election

Libertarian primary for U.S. Senate Missouri

Jonathan Dine advanced from the Libertarian primary for U.S. Senate Missouri on August 2, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Jonathan Dine	100.0	2,973

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 2,973
= 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.

Campaign themes

2022

Ballotpedia survey responses

Jewel Kelly, Jr. completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2021. 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.

As a military veteran, small business owner and moderate, I’m running for the U. S. Senate because too many Americans are suffering. America is only as strong as our weakest link.

Our top priorities include the following: Lower the cost of healthcare including mental health. Stimulate the economy to create more jobs. Reduce the cost of education and student debt. Protect the environment and address climate change. Provide equal protection under the law.

As the eldest of 18 siblings, I thank God my mother had the choice, and made the choice to bring me and all of my siblings into the world.

My wife (Caren) and I live in rural Jefferson County, 30 miles south of St Louis, Missouri. Together, we became real estate agents, and grew our small business to help others live the American Dream. We are blessed with three daughters; Kacie, Camryn, and Courtney. Tragically, Camryn died by suicide in 2018. In 2019, seven compassionate souls joined Caren and I and started a non-profit organization called “A Fighting Chance Foundation”. Our foundation connects communities to local mental health resources and promotes Mental Health First Aid Classes.

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?

We need policies based on non-partisan standards. Is it legal? Is it safe? Is it fair? We believe the wealthiest country on earth can provide healthcare in a legal, safe, and fair way. How fair is universal healthcare? How safe is a Single Payer Healthcare system? How legal Is Medicare For All? This Is Us. We care about saving lives. We deserve our best. Why should we accept anything less?
Change Comes When Budgets Change. Investing in our education is investing in our country. Investing in our country is Patriotism. Is it legal, is it safe, is it fair for us to bring down the cost of education? By reducing student debt, we can stimulate the economy, reduce the wealth gap, and create more jobs. We especially need more jobs now more than ever because 180,000 people still remain unemployed in our state. Isn't a smarter nation a stronger nation?
We can no longer suffer in silence because of unfair and unsafe budget and tax cuts. America is only as strong as our weakest link. Is now the safe, or fair time to cut services which prevent homelessness and suicides? 488 veterans right here in MO experienced homelessness in Jan 2021. 192 Missouri veterans died by suicide in 2018. Imagine if we made Mental Health First Aid Classes available to everyone? We must make mental health a national priority.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Is it fair that CEO's reap millions of dollars in bonuses from defense contracts funded by tax payers? Isn't America safer if we modernize our military with better equipment at more fair costs? The U.S Defense Budget is over half of our Discretionary Spending. We spent $1.3 Trillion dollars in Discretionary Spending in 2019. $676 Billion went to Defense. Incredibly, our Defense spending is more than the next 10 countries combined! The War with Iraq cost 4,431 American lives; and nearly $2 Trillion Dollars. This equates to $5,700 for every American.

In comparison, the Dept of Education's budget is less than 1/9 of Defense Spending. In 2019, Dept of Education Budget was cut 12% compared to 2018 budget. Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) budget was cut $953 Million in 2019. HRSA is the primary federal agency for improving health care to people who are geographically isolated, economically or medically vulnerable.

Training and Employment Budget is 1% of Defense Spending. (Dept of Labor). In 2019, Training and Employment Budget was cut over 7% compared to 2018 Budget.

On one hand, we must never forget our brothers and sisters in arms who repeatedly rescued the world from some of the deepest darkness in human history. On the other hand, we must address a tragic fact. Up to 22 military veterans die every day by suicide. Fairness is not anti-military. Fairness is anti-greed. Safety is not anti-security. True safety saves lives.

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

I look up to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, and President Abraham Lincoln. I'm inspired by the courage, conviction and sacrifice of Dr King, and the wisdom and patience of President Lincoln. Tragically, both men gave their lives in pursuit of justice, safety, and fairness for our country.

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

I believe kindness is the single greatest characteristic needed for an elected official. Kindness is defined as the quality of being friendly, generous, and considerate. Kindness is love in action. Think about our most beloved elected leaders. George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, President Roosevelt, John F. Kennedy, and Barack Obama. I especially want to highlight the word "considerate". Being considerate requires honestly assessing a situation to not hurt others, being considerate means being reasonable and answering the questions, Is it legal? Is it safe? Is it fair?

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

I aim to bring the following 12 qualities or elements of leadership to public office (Each function starts with the letter "P")

Protection: Take care of people so people can take care of protecting America.
Purpose: Simplify objectives, be responsible and accountable for people working together.
Prioritization: Go on offense to ensure the main effort gets the priorities of resources and time.
Predictability: Provide stability by living healthy, lawfully and fairly. Respect people always.
Presence: Stay engaged: Listen, learn, lift and lead.
Passion: Stand up for America. Be professional, positive and playful.
Preparation: Study before takeoff.
Policies and Procedure: Cut through the red tape.
Praise and Punishment: Give credit to others; criticize with humility.
Poise: Be the eye of the storm –calm, contained, and centered.
Perseverance: Combine the flexible application of resources with imagination and courage.

Prayer: Prayer changes things at the decisive place and time. Pressures go down when prayers go up.

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

My first recollection of a historical event was the re- election of President Ronald Reagan in 1984. I was ten years old when President Reagan was re- elected. I vividly remember listening to the presidential debates between Walter Mondale and President Reagan.

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

My very first job was working in a manufacturing plant that made dashboards for Chrysler called Rantoul Products. My specific job position was an Injection Molding Press Operator. I worked at Rantoul Products for two summers to help pay for college.

What is your favorite book? Why?

The Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas. I loved reading this novel as a kid because it combines, bravery, adventure, and chivalry with the fight for justice and love of country.

If you are not a current senator, are there certain committees that you would want to be a part of?

If I'm elected to the U.S. Senate I'd like to serve on the Appropriations Committee, the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, and the Veteran Affairs Committees. I believe serving on these committees is an opportunity to help make our country stronger. Some of the top priorities we need to address include the following. Lower the cost of healthcare and mental health services. Stimulate the economy to create more jobs. Reduce the cost of education. Protect the environment. Provide equal protection under the law.

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

Without a doubt, I very much admire the audacity, intelligence, temperament and communication skills of (former senator ) President Barack Obama. President Obama inspired hundreds of millions of people throughout the world that yes we can make change. He was and still is an excellent example regarding ethics in politics. He legitimately tried to find bi-partisan support whenever possible. To this day, he continues to make me so proud he was our President for eight years.

How would you evaluate a judicial nominee?

As a U.S Senator, I would evaluate judicial nominees consistent with criteria used by the American Bar Association namely integrity, professional competence and judicial temperament. I also believe it is important to provide a fair and impartial evaluation to all judicial nominees. Likewise, I believe it is just as important to determine the nominee’s ability to put personal views aside and decide cases based on the law and the facts, free from bias. The strength of our government depends on an independent judicial branch, which means we need judges which do not let their philosophy, political affiliation, or ideology interfere or influence the administration of justice.

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.

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Candidate

U.S. Senate Missouri

Personal

Footnotes

↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on April 17, 2021
↑ A Fighting Chance, “Home,” accessed April 19, 2021

[show]

Missouri's current delegation to the United States Congress

Senators

Josh Hawley (R)

Eric Schmitt (R)

Representatives

District 1

Wesley Bell (D)

District 2

Ann Wagner (R)

District 3

Bob Onder (R)

District 4

Mark Alford (R)

District 5

Emanuel Cleaver (D)

District 6

Sam Graves (R)

District 7

Eric Burlison (R)

District 8

Jason Smith (R)

Republican Party (8)

Democratic Party (2)

[bio-1] Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on April 17, 2021

[2] A Fighting Chance, “Home,” accessed April 19, 2021

[1]

[2]

	v • e State of Missouri Jefferson City (capital)
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Jewel Kelly, Jr.

Contents

Biography

Elections

2022

General election

General election for U.S. Senate Missouri

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for U.S. Senate Missouri

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Republican primary election

Republican primary for U.S. Senate Missouri

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Constitution primary election

Constitution primary for U.S. Senate Missouri

Libertarian primary election

Libertarian primary for U.S. Senate Missouri

Campaign themes

2022

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also

External links

Footnotes

Information about voting

2025 Elections

2026 Elections

2024 Election analysis

Trending

Public Policy

Information for candidates

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