Ariana and Her FamilyAriana with Volunteers from Alma Mater Walter JohnsonAriana Understands the Needs of SeniorsAriana Supports Transportation Investments
Welcome Message from Ariana
I have committed my career to working on issues that matter to families, including education, the environment, and health care. I grew up right here in Bethesda, and my husband and I are raising our kids here, too. I have been fighting for more than a decade to improve the lives of families in Maryland and across the country. Now, I am running to represent you in Annapolis, because I believe together we can build a brighter future for Maryland families.
Thanks so much to Jane Merkin, Jessie Gertman, Esther Delaplaine, Eve Jacobs, and of course Beverly Walcoff for hosting a wonderful event on Thursday in Friendship Heights. With 50+ attendees, we had a packed room.
Conversation quickly turned to the state budget- where the residents of Friendship Heights asked tough questions about my spending priorities.
I was proud to share my record of accomplishment as a nonprofit executive. I have a long history of making responsible budget decisions, and will continue to do so as a Delegate in Annapolis.
Residents were also interested in improving basic government functions like road maintenance and public education. What I heard most, however, was an interest in electing a fair, honest, hard-working representative who will present innovative solutions to the problems facing our state.
Today is Women’s Equality Day- the day we celebrate 90 years of American women's right to vote.
As a student of history, I am moved by the dedication and perseverance of the women and men who led the century-long fight for suffrage. When my daughter was two, we took a road trip to the Hotel Hermitage in Tennessee. In 1920, this was the headquarters of the pro and anti-suffrage forces who descended en masse on Nashville. Tennessee was poised to become the critical 36th state to ratify the 19th Amendment.
If Tennessee voted to ratify, women across the country would be enfranchised. Sitting in the hotel lobby with my little girl, I could still feel the passionate conviction on both sides of the debate. I am extremely grateful that the pro-suffrage side emerged victorious.
As a modern woman running for office in Maryland, I must point out that we ourselves did not fall into the top 35. That’s right, despite heroic efforts of Maryland’s own suffragists (including a petition signed by 125,000 Marylanders), the Maryland General Assembly failed to ratify the 19th Amendment in 1920. Four years earlier, the Maryland Senate passed a women’s vote bill, but the measure was killed in the Maryland House of Delegates.
And now, I am running to be a member of that same legislative body. Times have changed, and they are still changing.
"The NARAL family is proud to support Ariana Kelly. She will be a strong voice for progressive values. We live in challenging times. That’s why Ariana’s real-world experience running an organization and bringing people together to come up with practical solutions will serve her—and her constituents—well in Annapolis."
I am supporting Ariana because she has an impressive background with a demonstrated commitment to making a difference in her community. She is bright, articulate, hardworking, and an idealist with a practical sense of how to get things done. Her life shows a dedication to promoting the public good.
"Ariana possesses the rare combination of talent, intelligence and compassion that inspires people to listen closely to her ideas and believe in her. She has demonstrated strong leadership in her past efforts to secure legislation important to Maryland families. and I am convinced that as a state delegate representing District 16, she will take her passion and negotiating skills to even greater heights. Ariana is exactly the person anyone would want to advocate for their interests."
It is with unbridled enthusiasm that I endorse Ariana Kelly, Democrat for state Delegate. Ariana and I have a strong personal friendship developed over many years, so I’ve seen up-close as she’s fought to improve the lives of Maryland families. It would be an honor to serve with her in the House of Delegates.
Cindy Schwartz, Executive Director, MD League of Conservation Voters
"We are proud to endorse Ariana Kelly for Delegate. She is a proven, principled leader who has demonstrated that she has what it takes to bring Maryland forward towards a new clean energy economy."
Doug Prouty, President, Montgomery County Education Association
"Ariana has spent her entire career advocating for children and families, and she won't stop when she is elected. She has the experience, skills, and expertise we need from a strong advocate for children and educators in Annapolis."
Ariana will be the perfect addition to the District 16 team. Not only is she is intelligent, articulate and compassionate, she also has a tremendous track record of accomplishment. We need more women like her in the legislature to bring perspective and knowledge of the issues that affect Maryland families.
"Ariana is not only deeply committed to women's health. She is also smart, innovative, and a proven coalition builder. She was a savvy advocate for NARAL in Annapolis, and has an excellent track record with fiscal responsibility "
“Ariana Kelly is a defender of our environment who will move Maryland toward a clean energy future, promote smarter transportation solutions and protect our Chesapeake Bay and other natural habitats from big polluters.”
