Janet Vestal Kelly

Janet Vestal Kelly
16th Virginia Secretary of Health and Human Resources
Incumbent
Assumed office July 8, 2024
Governor	Glenn Youngkin
Preceded by	John Littel
Secretary of the Commonwealth of Virginia
In office January 24, 2010 – January 17, 2014
Governor	Bob McDonnell
Preceded by	Katherine Hanley
Succeeded by	Levar Stoney
Personal details
Born	Janet Elizabeth Vestal (1976-02-16) February 16, 1976 (age 48) Alamance, North Carolina
Political party	Republican
Spouse(s)	Robert Keith Polarek ​ ​ (m. 1997, divorced)​ Ryan Patrick Kelly ​ ​ (m. 2012)​
Children	3
Education	Liberty University (BA)
Signature

Janet Vestal Kelly (born February 16, 1976) is a former Secretary of the Commonwealth of Virginia, serving from 2010 through 2014 as part of the cabinet of Governor Bob McDonnell.^[1][2] She previously served as Chief Operations Officer of McDonnell's gubernatorial campaign and on his staff in the Attorney General's office.^[3] During McDonnell's federal corruption trial, Kelly served as a key witness for the defense.^[4][5]

Kelly currently serves as Principal & Director of Government Relations for America's Kids Belong, as well as President of Virginia's Kids Belong, organizations devoted to uniting government, faith-based, creative, and business sectors to end the foster care & adoption crisis in the US.^[6]

Kelly married Robert Keith Polarek on August 9, 1997.^[7] The two later divorced, and Kelly married Ryan Patrick Kelly in 2012.

References

1. Profile, nbc12.com; accessed January 4, 2017.
2. "Bob McDonnell's cabinet". 30 January 2010. Retrieved 28 June 2017 – via washingtonpost.com.
3. "Governor-elect McDonnell announces transition staff". 7 November 2009. Retrieved 28 June 2017.
4. Weisman, Jonathan; Maguire, Ken (18 August 2014). "Aide Describes Staff Revolt Against Former Virginia Governor's Wife". The New York Times. Retrieved 28 June 2017 – via NYTimes.com.
5. Alter, Charlotte (20 August 2014). "Why a 'Blame the Woman' Defense Works So Well for Troubled Politicians". Time. Retrieved 28 June 2017.
6. "Virginia's Kids Belong | Every Child Needs a Loving Home". vakidsbelong.org. Retrieved 2018-10-17.
7. "Vestal-Polarek". Daily Press. August 31, 1997. p. G5. Retrieved April 20, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.

External links

• Profile at Vote Smart

Political offices
Preceded by Katherine Hanley	Secretary of the Commonwealth of Virginia 2010–2014	Succeeded by Levar Stoney