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Kate Kelly
Elections and appointments
Personal
Contact
Kate Kelly is running for election to the Oxford City Council in North Carolina. She is on the ballot in the general election on November 4, 2025.[source]
Kelly completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. Click here to read the survey answers.
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Biography
Kate Kelly provided the following biographical information via Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey on August 8, 2025:
Elections
General election
The general election will occur on November 4, 2025.
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Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Kate Kelly completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. 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.
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Kate Kelly is a community-focused candidate for the Oxford Board of Commissioners. With 25+ years supporting senior leaders, she brings practical leadership and a commitment to service. New to Oxford, Kate is passionate about creating accessible housing, stronger neighborhoods, and opportunities for youth to thrive.
- Kate Kelly is dedicated to strengthening Oxford’s infrastructure by ensuring reliable water, sewer, and broadband services. She understands that modern, well-maintained systems are essential for economic growth, public health, and improving quality of life for all residents.
- Kate Kelly believes in empowering Oxford’s youth by creating real opportunities for leadership, civic engagement, and skill-building. She is committed to developing programs that connect young people with mentors and involve them in shaping the future of their community.
- Kate Kelly is focused on expanding housing options that are affordable and accessible to working families, seniors, and individuals. She supports smart policies that protect neighborhoods, promote homeownership, and ensure everyone has a stable place to call home.
Affordable and accessible housing: Expanding housing options for working families, seniors, and individuals; protecting neighborhoods; supporting pathways to homeownership.
Infrastructure modernization: Ensuring reliable water, sewer, and broadband services to support economic growth and public health.
Youth engagement and leadership: Creating opportunities for young people to lead, learn, and develop real-world skills through civic involvement and mentorship programs.
Economic development: Supporting small businesses, attracting new jobs, and fostering partnerships that grow the local economy.
Community safety: Promoting community-centered public safety strategies that build trust between law enforcement and residents. One book that really resonates with my political philosophy is Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand. It’s the story of resilience, determination, and overcoming adversity—qualities I deeply admire and strive to bring to public service. Like the book’s protagonist, I believe leadership is about persistence, facing challenges head-on, and never giving up on the community you serve. Unbroken inspires me to approach the work of serving Oxford with grit, empathy, and a commitment to helping every individual rise and succeed.
For me, the most important qualities in an elected official are integrity, accountability, and a true commitment to serve our community. I believe leaders must listen carefully to all voices, especially those who are often overlooked, and work collaboratively to find real solutions that make a difference in people’s lives. Transparency and honesty are key to building trust, and persistence is necessary to follow through on promises, not just during campaigns, but every day in office. Above all, leadership means showing empathy, putting people first, and fighting for opportunities that help every family and individual thrive here in Oxford.
I bring practical experience, deep empathy, and a strong commitment to service—qualities that I believe are essential for effective leadership. My years supporting senior leaders have taught me how to manage complex challenges, stay organized under pressure, and keep focused on results. More importantly, I listen carefully to people’s concerns and work collaboratively to find solutions that truly make a difference. I’m dependable, transparent, and dedicated to following through on my commitments—qualities that build trust and help move our community forward.
The core responsibilities of someone elected to the Oxford Board of Commissioners are to listen to the community, represent their interests fairly, and make decisions that promote the well-being and growth of our city. This means ensuring responsible budgeting, supporting smart infrastructure development, fostering economic opportunity, and protecting public safety. It also involves being transparent and accessible, so residents feel heard and included. Ultimately, it’s about leading with integrity and dedication to build a stronger, more equitable Oxford for everyone.
The first historical event I clearly remember is the Challenger disaster in 1986. I was about six years old and in school at the time, and it was especially traumatic because Sally Ride, the first American woman in space, was on that mission. As a young girl, it made a deep impression on me about the risks of progress and the importance of resilience and hope.
My very first job was working at Southwest Airlines at the San Jose airport. I loved it so much that I’d even bid for the baggage claim shifts because I enjoyed helping people and solving problems on the spot. It taught me early on the value of service, teamwork, and staying calm under pressure, qualities that have shaped my approach to leadership. These lessons have guided me throughout my career and inspired me to lead with patience, empathy, and a focus on practical solutions.
If I could be any fictional character, I’d choose Liz Lemon from 30 Rock. She’s smart, hardworking, and always juggling a million things at once—much like the real world of leadership. Plus, she brings humor and heart to tough situations, reminding me that staying true to yourself and finding balance is key, even when things get hectic.
One of the biggest struggles in my life has been finding enough time to do everything and help everyone I care about. Balancing work, family, and community commitments can be challenging, but it’s also taught me the importance of prioritizing, staying organized, and asking for support when needed. This struggle has made me more empathetic and determined to serve others effectively.
What do ghosts wear for boots in the winter?
Boo-ties!
I believe financial transparency and government accountability are fundamental to building trust between elected officials and the people they serve. Every taxpayer deserves to know exactly how their money is being spent and to have confidence that public funds are managed responsibly and ethically. When government operates openly, it empowers citizens to hold leaders accountable and ensures decisions are made in the community’s best interest—not for special interests or political gain. I’m committed to championing policies that demand clear reporting, strict oversight, and full transparency at every level of local government. Good governance requires integrity and constant vigilance to prevent corruption and misuse of resources, so Oxford can thrive fairly and sustainably for all residents.
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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