Senator-elect Kelsey Assigned to Judiciary, Government Op Committees

Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey said today he has assigned Senator-elect Brian Kelsey to serve on the Senate Judiciary Committee and the Senate Government Operations Committee.

He also issed a brief statement congratulating Kelsey on his election. Here it is:

Lt. Governor Ron Ramsey (R-Blountville) today congratulated Sen. Brian Kelsey on his huge victory in last night’s election for the Senate District 31 seat. Sen. Kelsey received 75% of the vote in the district which includes most of Germantown and parts of Bartlett, Cordova, East Memphis and Hickory Hill.

“Senator Kelsey will be an excellent addition to the state Senate,” said Lt. Governor Ramsey. “Brian is a true conservative who is focused on job creation for the people of Shelby County. His overwhelming victory is a testament to how people in the district feel about Brian Kelsey.”

Lt. Governor Ramsey also announced that Sen. Kelsey will serve on the Senate Judiciary and Senate Government Operations committees

Newest Senator to be sworn in Dec. 11 in Shelby County, will serve on Judiciary, Government Operations

(Nashville) – Lt. Governor Ron Ramsey (R-Blountville) today congratulated Sen. Brian Kelsey on his huge victory in last night’s election for the Senate District 31 seat.  Sen. Kelsey received 75% of the vote in the district which includes most of Germantown and parts of Bartlett, Cordova, East Memphis and Hickory Hill.

“Senator Kelsey will be an excellent addition to the state Senate,” said Lt. Governor Ramsey.  “Brian is a true conservative who is focused on job creation for the people of Shelby County.  His overwhelming victory is a testament to how people in the district feel about Brian Kelsey.”

Lt. Governor Ramsey also announced that Sen. Kelsey will serve on the Senate Judiciary and Senate Government Operations committees.

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The Chatanoogan
Kelsey Wins State Senate Seat For District 31

Republican Brian Kelsey was elected as state senator for District 31 in West Tennessee on Tuesday.

The seat, which includes portions of Memphis, became vacant after the resignation of Paul Stanley. Kelsey was formerly in the state House.

Tennessee Republican Party Chairman Chris Devaney said, “Brian has already demonstrated his ability to effectively lead and legislate on behalf of his constituents,” said Devaney. “During his time in the State House, Brian was a leader in the fight for ethics reform and worked tirelessly to protect taxpayers’ dollars. Brian’s experience in the State House will serve him well as he takes on this new role of public service in the State Senate.

“I’d like to congratulate him on tonight’s election results and I look forward to seeing him continue his service for the state of Tennessee.”

Adrienne Pakis-Gillon, who conceded the 31st District race, said, “I ran this race for all the people of this wonderful district, and for the people of the great state of Tennessee, to make sure they had a chance to have their voice heard. The people have chosen a different voice, and I wish Senator-elect Kelsey the best for his year in Nashville.

“All of us will stay involved in the quest to better the community we love. The neighbors I have talked to throughout the district want the focus to stay on the community, building jobs and a better place for all of us to live and raise our families. I am hopeful and optimistic that newly elected Senator Kelsey will do just that. This district is becoming more diverse, as are the needs of the citizens of the district.

“I am extremely proud of the campaign we have run. The volunteers who have given their time these past couple of months have given me and the people of District 31 an invaluable gift. They have shown determination, caring, and a desire to continually improve the community in which they live. For that I want to thank all of them and all of my supporters. We came up short today, and it’s tough to take. But I assure you that we will stay active and we will stay involved. Thank you all.”

Commercial Appeal
By Lela Garlington

In what turned into a blowout, Republican Brian Kelsey overwhelmed Democrat Adrienne Pakis-Gillon to win Tuesday’s special election for the District 31 state Senate seat.

The unofficial final vote tally had Kelsey with 7,120 votes, while Pakis-Gillon trailed with 2,394 votes.

Pakis-Gillon, a 51-year-old business manager, was making her first run for a local political office. Kelsey, 31, is a lawyer with a solo practice. He has been a state representative since 2004.

“I’m truly humbled by the opportunity to serve the people in the state Senate,” Kelsey said. “The first order of business is to get the budget under control … and exercise the fiscal responsibility that the people told me to exercise.”

The Shelby County Election Commission is expected to certify the vote by Dec. 14. Kelsey likely will be sworn in the day after certification. The legislature reconvenes Jan. 12.

Turnout was light for Tuesday’s election. Most residents found no lines and no waiting to vote. Only about 7 percent of voters cast votes in what was a one-race ballot in many precincts.

“For a special election, it was not unusual to have a 7percent turnout, especially for December,” Shelby County Election Commission Chairman Bill Giannini said.

As she left the Bert Ferguson Community Center, Cindy Savage said she cast her ballot for Kelsey, “because I vote Republican. I think he’s a good guy.”

“People are kinda letting this one go by,” lamented election worker June Porter at Riveroaks Reformed Presbyterian Church. “We are dishonoring our veterans by not voting.”

The special election was held to replace Paul Stanley, who resigned his seat in August after a sex and blackmail scandal involving the 47-year-old married senator and a 22-year-old legislative intern.

The Republican-leaning district covers most of Germantown and parts of Bartlett, Cordova, East Memphis and Hickory Hill.

There is one year left in Stanley’s term. The regular GOP primary is in August, followed by the November general election for a full four-year term.

As a state senator, Kelsey will earn $19,009 in annual pay. Other legislative perks are state-subsidized health insurance for life; a $1,000 monthly home and office expense allowance; $171 a day for expenses; and 54 cents a mile in reimbursement or weekly round-trip airfare during the legislative session.