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Ariana Kelly

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American politician (born 1976)

Ariana Kelly
Kelly in February 2023
Member of the Maryland Senate
from the 16th district
In office
February 27, 2023 – May 5, 2024
Appointed byWes Moore
Preceded bySusan C. Lee
Succeeded bySara N. Love
Member of the Maryland House of Delegates
from the 16th district
In office
January 12, 2011 – February 27, 2023
Preceded byKaren Britto
Succeeded bySarah Wolek
Personal details
Born (1976-12-07) December 7, 1976 (age 48)
Bethesda, Maryland, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
Spouses
Barak Sanford ​ ​(m. 1999; div. 2012)​
Stephen Taylor ​(m. 2022)​
Children4
Residence(s)Bethesda, Maryland, U.S.
EducationUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison (BA)
Signature

Ariana Brannigan Kelly (born December 7, 1976) is an American politician who is the executive director of the Maryland Commission for Women. She was a member of the Maryland Senate from District 16, which is located in Montgomery County, from 2023 to 2024. A member of the Democratic Party, she previously represented the same district in the Maryland House of Delegates from 2011 to 2023.

Early life and education

Kelly was born in Bethesda, Maryland. She is the granddaughter of Maryland fire safety pioneer Francis Brannigan. Kelly graduated from Walter Johnson High School, and later attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where in 2002 she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in history.

After graduating, Kelly worked as a national judicial education program associate for the National Organization for Women Legal Defense and Education Fund. She also worked as a producer for PBS' To The Contrary, a weekly news program, from 2002 to 2005, before becoming the executive director of NARAL Pro-Choice Maryland. Kelly worked as the national campaign director for MomsRising.org from 2009 to 2011.

In the legislature

Kelly was sworn into the Maryland House of Delegates on January 12, 2011. She was a member of the Health and Government Operations Committee, including as its vice chair from 2022 to 2023, during her entire tenure and served as deputy majority whip from 2016 to 2023. Kelly also served as the president of the Women Legislators of Maryland caucus from 2017 to 2018, and as the House chair of the Joint Committee on Children, Youth, and Families from 2016 to 2022.

In December 2022, Governor-elect Wes Moore nominated state senator Susan C. Lee to serve as the Maryland Secretary of State. Kelly filed to fill the vacancy left by Lee in the Maryland Senate in January 2023. During her 2023 Senate appointment, it was alleged that she called one of the other candidates and harassed him for submitting his nomination for the appointment. Kelly denied the allegations. The Montgomery County Central Committee Chair indicated that the allegations were outside their purview for addressing. Kelly won the nomination by a vote of 24–0 with one abstention. She was sworn in on February 27, 2023, and served on the Judicial Proceedings Committee during her entire tenure.

On March 20, 2024, Governor Moore appointed Kelly to serve as the executive director of the Maryland Commission for Women. She resigned from the legislature following the 2024 legislative session on May 5, 2024, and assumed her new role on May 6, 2024.

Political positions

Abortion

Kelly speaks at a press conference on reproductive rights, 2023

Maryland Matters has described Kelly as a "leading abortion rights supporter in the legislature". In 2019, NARAL Pro-Choice Maryland, which supports abortion, gave Kelly a 100% score. Maryland Right to Life, which opposes abortion, gave Kelly a 6% score during her third term in the Maryland House of Delegates. Kelly supported efforts led by House of Delegates Speakers Michael E. Busch and Adrienne A. Jones to codify the right to abortion access in the Maryland State Constitution, and said in September 2021 that the "time is right for the legislature to pass more progressive policies" on abortion following the passage of the Texas Heartbeat Act, which banned abortions in Texas after the detection of embryonic or fetal cardiac activity.

During the 2016 legislative session, Kelly introduced the Contraceptive Equity Act, a bill that would require insurance companies to cover over-the-counter emergency contraceptives at no extra cost. The bill passed and was signed into law by Governor Larry Hogan in May 2016.

In January 2019, Kelly was one of nine Maryland lawmakers to add their names to a manifesto signed by 326 state legislators to reaffirm their commitment to protecting abortion rights.

During the 2022 legislative session, Kelly introduced a package of bills to ensure abortion access and affordability in Maryland, including the Abortion Care Access to Insurance Act and the Abortion Care Access Act. The Abortion Care Access Act was passed by the Maryland General Assembly and vetoed by Governor Larry Hogan, but it became law after the Maryland General Assembly overrode Hogan's veto. In May 2022, following the leak of a draft majority opinion for the Supreme Court case Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, Kelly joined 82 other legislators in signing a letter pushing Hogan to release $3.5 million in funding to support the implementation of the Abortion Care Access Act.

In June 2022, following the Supreme Court's ruling in Dobbs, Kelly said that the end of Roe v. Wade made strong laws on the state level "even more necessary".

During the 2023 legislative session, Kelly introduced legislation that would require public colleges to have a plan for student access to birth control, including contraception and abortion pills.

Israel

In November 2023, Kelly and eight other state senators signed a joint letter that threatened to defund immigrants rights group CASA de Maryland because it had called for an immediate ceasefire in the 2023 Israel–Hamas war and condemned the "utilization of US tax dollars to promote the ongoing violence."

Paid family leave

During the 2016 and 2020 legislative sessions, Kelly introduced legislation to provide Maryland workers with up to 12 weeks of paid family leave, funded by a payroll tax shared equally by the worker and employer. In 2022, she introduced a bill that would provide paid family leave to all part- and full-time employees who have worked 680 hours in the past year.

Social issues

Kelly speaks at an Equal Rights Amendment rally, 2024

In February 2018, Kelly, then the president of the Women's Caucus of Maryland, released a set of policy recommendations on preventing sexual harassment in the Maryland General Assembly. These recommendations were accompanied by a report detailing anonymous accounts of sexual harassment in the Maryland General Assembly. Kelly also introduced a bill aimed at implementing these policy recommendations, which was passed and signed into law by Governor Larry Hogan.

During the 2018 legislative session, Kelly introduced a bill that would include the topic of "consent" in sex education classes. The bill passed and became law.

In September 2018, after Cheryl Glenn was elected to lead the Baltimore City Delegation, Kelly accused Glenn of blocking her efforts to assist one of Curt Anderson's alleged sexual misconduct victims and of denigrating other Anderson accusers. Glenn did not comment on these accusations.

Taxes

In 2013, Kelly voted in favor of a bill that would raise gas taxes in Maryland to fund the state's various mass transit projects.

During the 2019 legislative session, Kelly introduced a bill to expand eligibility requirements for the state's child care tax credits. The bill passed and was signed into law by Governor Larry Hogan.

Personal life

Kelly has two children and two step-children. She was married to Barak Sanford from 1999 to November 2012, and later married Stephen Taylor, the owner of Family Back & Neck Care in Montgomery Village, Maryland, in 2022. Together, they live in Bethesda, Maryland.

In July 2015, Kelly was charged with indecent exposure and trespassing in an incident related to a domestic dispute. According the police report, Kelly was dropping her two children off at her ex-husband's house when she learned that his fianceé was in the residence at the time. She then exposed her breasts in his direction, which he had captured on his cellphone camera. Kelly later called the dispute that led to her arrest a "domestic quabble" rather than a criminal manner. Her charges were dropped later that month, with a spokesperson for Montgomery County State's Attorney John McCarthy saying that the incident was "a matter better suited for family court" and that the indecent exposure charges were incorrectly applied.

References

  1. ^ "Ariana B. Kelly, Maryland State Senator". Maryland Manual On-Line. Maryland State Archives. May 7, 2024. Retrieved May 21, 2024.
  2. Kohn, David (January 15, 2006). "Abortion gets wide protection in Md. law". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
  3. Kurtz, Josh (January 13, 2022). "Leading Md. Abortion Rights Group Restructures as Legislative Fight Kicks Off". Maryland Matters. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
  4. ^ Kraut, Aaron (March 1, 2016). "Del. Ariana Kelly Rallies Supporters of State Family and Medical Leave Fund". MoCo 360. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
  5. Ford, William J. (January 13, 2023). "Nonprofit organization plans to release comprehensive report on Maryland's parole system". Maryland Matters. Retrieved January 21, 2023.
  6. Bohnel, Steve (February 15, 2023). "Kelly picked for District 16 state Senate seat despite concerns about phone call". MoCo360.
  7. Gaines, Danielle E.; Kurtz, Josh (February 15, 2023). "Political Notes: Kelly gets Senate nod, Cassilly nom withdrawn, smooth sailing for Treasurer Davis, new gigs for Hogan vets, and lobbyists honor lobbyists". Maryland Matters. Retrieved February 15, 2023.
  8. Gaines, Danielle E. (February 24, 2023). "Women's Caucus backing package of bills focused on reproductive health, criminal justice and economic issues". Maryland Matters. Retrieved February 27, 2023.
  9. Bixby, Ginny (May 2, 2024). "MoCo Democratic central committee seeking nominations to fill District 16 Senate seat". MoCo360. Retrieved May 6, 2024.
  10. Peck, Louis (March 21, 2024). "Dist. 16 Sen. Ariana Kelly named executive director of Maryland Commission for Women". MoCo360. Retrieved March 21, 2024.
  11. Sears, Bryan P. (March 21, 2024). "Kelly announces departure from Senate". Maryland Matters. Retrieved March 21, 2024.
  12. ^ Kurtz, Josh (May 17, 2019). "Md. Abortion Rights Supporters Mobilize in Response to Alabama Ban". Maryland Matters. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
  13. "Ariana Kelly's Ratings and Endorsements". VoteSmart.org. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
  14. ^ Gaskill, Hannah (February 14, 2022). "Jones Seeks Constitutional Amendment to Strengthen Abortion Rights in Maryland". Maryland Matters. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
  15. Zhu, Christine (July 1, 2022). "State Del. Ariana Kelly says Maryland has strong abortion access laws — but she's hoping for a constitutional safeguard". MoCo 360. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
  16. Gaskill, Hannah (September 21, 2021). "Democratic Policymakers Alarmed by Texas Abortion Law, Ponder Legislative Protections in Maryland". Maryland Matters. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
  17. Wood, Pamela (May 9, 2016). "New law puts Maryland at 'forefront' of birth control access". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
  18. Wiggins, Ovetta (May 10, 2016). "Hogan signs bill to make birth control cheaper". The Washington Post. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
  19. Kurtz, Josh (January 23, 2019). "Md. Lawmakers Join Legislators From Across U.S. Vowing to Protect Abortion Rights". Maryland Matters. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
  20. Kurtz, Josh (October 3, 2021). "Md. Advocates, Lawmakers Look Ahead to Legislative Session to Strengthen Abortion Protections". Maryland Matters. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
  21. DePuyt, Bruce; Gaskill, Hannah (March 29, 2022). "Roundup: Senate Passes Abortion Bill to Governor, Panel Backs Insurer Fee, Bill Honoring Slain Officer Amended". Maryland Matters. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
  22. Gaines, Danielle E.; Shwe, Elizabeth (May 3, 2022). "After Leak of Draft SCOTUS Opinion on Abortion Rights, Maryland Lawmakers and Candidates Pledge Action". Maryland Matters. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
  23. Gaines, Danielle E.; Kurtz, Josh (May 7, 2022). "News Roundup: Democrats Press Again for Abortion Care Funding, Hogan Appoints New Utility Commissioner". Maryland Matters. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
  24. Marbella, Jean (September 9, 2022). "Post-Roe, continuing furor over abortion rights decision looms over November election in Maryland and beyond". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
  25. "Gov. Wes Moore supports legislation protecting reproductive rights". WUSA9. Associated Press. February 9, 2023. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
  26. Thakker, Prem (November 9, 2023). "Maryland Democrats Threaten Funding of Immigrant Rights Group That Called for Gaza Ceasefire". The Intercept. Retrieved November 10, 2023.
  27. Gaskill, Hannah (January 29, 2022). "Lawmakers Unveil Plan to Reintroduce Paid Family Leave Legislation". Maryland Matters. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
  28. Shwe, Elizabeth (March 14, 2022). "In Setback for Advocates, House Committee Considering Establishing a Commission on Paid Family Leave". Maryland Matters. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
  29. Kurtz, Josh (February 19, 2018). "Women's Caucus Issues Recommendations for Fighting Harassment". Maryland Matters. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
  30. Cox, Erin (February 7, 2018). "Maryland Women's Caucus releases recommendations on sexual harassment prevention in General Assembly". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
  31. Cox, Erin (February 16, 2018). "New report describes scenes of sexual harassment in Maryland General Assembly". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
  32. Kurtz, Josh (March 7, 2018). "Lawmakers, Experts Tout Bill to Crack Down on State House Sexual Harassment". Maryland Matters. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
  33. Dance, Scott (March 19, 2018). "Maryland delegates approve new way to investigate sexual harassment claims in legislature". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
  34. "Legislation - HB1342". Maryland General Assembly. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
  35. ^ Welch, Chris (October 3, 2018). "Mother-daughter duo draft bill to have 'consent' taught in sex ed". TMJ4. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
  36. Kurtz, Josh (September 27, 2018). "On Eve of Kavanaugh Hearing, #MeToo and Anderson Case Still Roiling Annapolis". Maryland Matters. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
  37. "House roll call on gas taxes". The Baltimore Sun. March 22, 2013. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
  38. Broadwater, Luke (April 3, 2019). "Maryland General Assembly passes bill expanding tax credits for child care". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
  39. "Legislation - HB0418". Maryland General Assembly. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
  40. ^ Gerber, Dana; Schott, Kristen (January 25, 2023). "Weddings of the year: four favorite celebrations from 2022". MoCo 360. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
  41. ^ Turque, Bill (July 21, 2015). "Prosecutors drop trespassing, exposure charges against Md. delegate". The Washington Post. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
  42. Metcalf, Andrew (July 14, 2015). "District 16 Del. Ariana Kelly Charged With Indecent Exposure, Trespassing". MoCo 360. Retrieved February 15, 2023.
  43. Turque, Bill (July 14, 2015). "Maryland Del. Ariana Kelly charged with indecent exposure, trespassing". The Washington Post. Retrieved March 25, 2023.

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