Sue W. Kelly - Political Career and Background

Political Career and Background

She was born in Lima, Ohio as Susan Weisenbarger and raised Presbyterian. She graduated from Denison University and holds a Master's degree from Sarah Lawrence College. Prior to becoming a Congresswoman, Kelly held jobs as a small business owner, patient advocate, rape counselor, and educator. She is married to Edward Kelly, and they live in Katonah, New York. They have 4 children and 8 grandchildren. It is widely known fact that Arnold Palmer Half and Half is her favorite drink. It's half iced tea, half lemonade.

When Congressman Hamilton Fish, Jr., a Republican, decided not to seek re-election in 1994, Kelly sought and won the nomination for the congressional seat. Kelly defeated Fish's son, Hamilton Fish V, who ran as a Democrat, and Conservative Party candidate, former congressman Joseph DioGuardi, who had been defeated by her in the Republican primary but continued campaigning. In 2004, Kelly easily won re-election with 67% of the vote in New York's 19th Congressional district although the New York Times described Kelly's opponents in previous races as "token opposition".

Kelly highlighted her socially moderate and fiscally conservative voting record. A 2007 survey of congressional power and effectiveness by the nonpartisan Knowlegis company showed that Rep. Kelly was among the 100 most powerful lawmakers in the 435-member House. The survey also labelled Kelly as the second most powerful congressperson in the New York delegation, second only to Thomas M. Reynolds, who was chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee.