David G. Kelley
David Gerald Kelley was an American farmer and politician from California who was a member of the Republican Party.
A graduate of the Army and Navy Academy Class of 1947, Kelley attended California State Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo, majoring in citrus fruit production. His education was interrupted by service as a pilot in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean conflict. A successful citrus rancher in the Hemet, California area for more than 40 years, he was active in the Riverside County Farm Bureau from 1955, and served as both president and vice president, as well as on the board of directors of the California Farm Bureau Federation.
Kelley also served as director of the Hemet-San Jacinto Basin Resource Conservation District.
Kelley died on September 24, 2025, at the age of 96.
State Assembly
In 1978, Kelley ran for the 75th district in the California State Assembly and ousted 2-term incumbent Tom Suitt in what turned out to be a great year for down ballot Republicans across the state. Kelley would hold the seat with little trouble for 6 more terms. The only time a sitting elected official challenged Kelley was in 1984 when then Democratic Corona city councilman S.R. "Al" Lopez made the run, but failed to make an impression.State Senate
In 1992, Kelley decided to run for the redrawn 37th district in the California State Senate. He faced his assembly colleague Carol Bentley in the primary, both candidates among the more mild-mannered legislators. Nevertheless, the race became heated. Kelley repeatedly hit Bentley over her ethics, with his specific attacks over her "ghost voting" throwing her campaign off balance. Kelley prevailed with 52% of the vote.He was reelected to the state senate in 1996 and served one additional term in the assembly before retiring from elective office.
Kelley was an Emeritus Trustee of the Army and Navy Academy.