Fred Kelley

Fred Kelley was born in Mobile, Alabama. He earned an associate degree from Patrick Henry Community College in 1978 and other education from Coastal Alabama Community College in 2016. His career experience includes working as a marketing and safety director for South Alabama Gas, master pipe fitter, commercial pilot, advanced underwater rescue diver, commercial truck driver, and state board certified nursing assistant. Kelley has served as a board member for the Monroe County Economic Development Council, former pilot for the Alabama chapter of Pilots for Christ, chaplain for the Monroe County Sheriff's Department, and foster parent for Monroe County DHR.[1]

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I am Fred Kelley from Monroeville Alabama. I am the Republican nominee for the Alabama House of Representatives District 68. I have never been in the political arena . I am offering myself up to the people of Alabama as a blank slate.

I am a commercial pilot and rescue diver. I have used my skills to volunteer with the Monroe County rescue squad and fly with Pilots for Christ. I believe in being a good citizen by being involved in the community. I founded Pedalin’for a Cure, a bicycle ride to help fight cancer that raised over one million dollars.

I plan on retiring at the end of this year after 30 years with South Alabama Gas to devote myself full-time to the people of Alabama.

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?

District 68 is losing jobs snd population . We need a promoter and that is what I do best.We need a Republican with conservative views and love for Alabama to be representing District 68We need a Representative who will work. I am a former truck driver and pipe fitter. I know how to work.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I have chosen to run as a Republican because of the long-standing views held dearly by the Republican Party. I believe in the rights of the unborn child, lower taxes, less government and conversative views. I believe in our second amendment right to keep and bear arms and in “Constitutional Carry”.

I believe in Alabama’s Forrest Industry and all it means to our state’s economy. Alabama's forest industry is one of our greatest renewal natural resources.

I do not however believe the state has the right to tell its citizens you have to wear a mask or get a vaccine if you do not wish to.

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

I look up to former President George W. Bush. I believe in his leadership, honesty and respect for our country. So much that when I was asked by Congressman Jo Bonner what did I want to do after raising one million dollars for the American Cancer Society? I said, “I would like to meet President Bush". Later that year I got to meet the President in the Oval Office.

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

I believe that my trusted and tested honesty over my life will help me greatly in being a successful legislator. So many times, we all have heard people say that politicians are dishonest or double talkers. I cannot be that way. On my father's death bed, he told me the only real thing he was leaving me was the Kelley name. He said it is a good name and you will understand one day what I'm talking about.

Today, I completely understand. I have kept that name good with no marks. I am pleased to report that I have no criminal record of any kind. I do not drink, smoke or use drugs. I have held a safety sensitive job that required random drug test for over 30 years. I have never failed a one and still hold that job today.

I have stood the test of time and will pass on that name to my daughter who has pledged to do the same.

Officeholders need the quality of honesty. With honesty you get respect and with respect you get trust.

You can believe that when I tell you something, trust that it will be the truth.

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

When I first qualified to be an elected official, I thought that this is my time, my turn to do something great for Alabama. While visions of grander are something we all share, that is not the responsibility of an elected official.

In my opinion the core responsibility of any elected official is to work for the people who elected them. You have to listen and learn their concerns and problems and then do something. You have to act. You will have to use your skills to communicate and work with other elected officials. l like what poet John Donne said, "No man is an island”.

The responsibility depends on working with other officials to get the job done for Alabama.

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

I remember for assassination of President John F. Kennedy on November 22nd, 1963 . I was seven years old. This was an especially tragic event in my families life as it was for all American's. My parents loved President Kennedy so much they named me so that my initials would be J.F.K. for James Fred Kelley.

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

My very first job was driving a school bus my senior year at Thomasville High School. I was glad that my principal had enough confidence in me to trust those kids to me every day.

I drove that bus my entire senior year.

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

The last song that got stuck in my head is Bon Jovi's "livin' on a Prayer". I say that in the present tense because it is still stuck in my head.

I know that song is a rock anthem, but it is the words that have stuck with me. Listen to the words, "Together we can make it, with Love we're Livin on a Prayer". It just makes sense, enjoy life and the love of your family. With that, I believe life is better when your "Livin on a Prayer".

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

The relationship between the governor and the state legislature should to an open, honest relationship which shows respect and professionalism for each other.

We all know that the three branches of government act as a check and balance system with no one branch being able to work without the other. Therefore, it seems absolutely necessary and prudent that each branch of government work together in a nonpartisan way when policies are on the table that could affect every citizen of Alabama.

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

Absolutely not. I say that because I have no previous experience in politics and have never before run for a political office. What each person brings to the table is their life's experiences. Each member of the state legislature brings something different. That difference should have been influenced by many years of living in the state district that the legislator represents. Some will have urban life experiences while I have more rural experiences by my growing up on a farm. When these new legislators are brought together, they will have the ability to solve problems from a wide viewpoint.

I am involved in continuing my education and have completed Interdisciplinary Studies at the University of South Alabama. What you learn in this course is that to find an answer to a particular problem you might need a math major, a science major and you would definitely need input from people actually living in the community that will be affected by the problem.

I This is how you solve problems. I believe in this system and look forward to using all of my skills to help solve problems in Alabama.

Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking?

While I do not always wish to compromise, I can tell you as a father, husband and businessman that you will be compromising on some issues.

Like the fictional character Atticus Finch, the famous lawyer from "To Kill a Mockingbird" said to Scout, "Scout, do you know what it means to compromise"?

Now is compromise desirable for policymaking? Yes, you have to remember as a legislative representative I will be voting on issues that will affect all of Alabama. So, there will be times for the greater good that compromise will be the best choice to get things done for my District 68 and for all of Alabama.