{{Short description|American politician}} {{Infobox officeholder | name = Randy Kelley | office = Chair of the Alabama Democratic Party | predecessor = Christopher J. England | term_start = August 13, 2022 | term_end = | office1 = Vice chair of the Alabama Democratic Party | predecessor1 = Redding Pitt | term_start1 = 2016 | term_end1 = November 2, 2019 | successor1 = Patricia Todd | party = Democratic | birth_date = | birth_place = | spouse = | education = Jacksonville State University (BS)<br>Gammon Theological Seminary<br>Interdenominational Theological Center }} '''Randy B. Kelley''' is an American politician who has served as the chair of the Alabama Democratic Party (ADP) since 2022. He also served as the vice chair for the ADP from 2016 until his removal in 2019.
==Education== Kelley attended Jacksonville State University, where he received a Bachelor of Science in Sociology and Psychology. He also attended Gammon Theological Seminary, where he received a master's degree, as well as a doctorate from the Interdenominational Theological Center.<ref>{{cite web |title=Leadership |url=https://theadc.org/leadership/ |website=Alabama Democratic Conference |access-date=3 January 2026}}</ref>
==Career== ===Alabama Democratic Party=== He was elected as the vice chair of the Alabama Democratic Party in 2016, the same year that he was chosen as an elector to represent Hillary Clinton for the state of Alabama in the 2016 United States presidential election.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Koplowitz |first1=Howard |title=Only 9 people will cast Alabama votes. Really |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/1209205568/?match=1&terms=%22Randy%20Kelley%22 |access-date=3 January 2026 |publisher=The Huntsville Times |date=September 18, 2016 |page=A9}}</ref> He was subsequently re-elected alongside ADP chair Nancy Worley in 2018.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Cason |first1=Mike |title=DNC withholds funds from Alabama Democratic Party |url=https://www.al.com/news/2019/09/dnc-withholds-funds-from-alabama-democratic-party.html |website=AL.com |access-date=3 January 2026 |date=September 10, 2019}}</ref> In a November 2019 meeting, he and Worley were removed from their positions in a unanimous vote by the State Democratic Executive Committee.<ref>{{cite web |title=New chair, vice chair elected to Alabama Democratic Party |url=https://www.wsfa.com/2019/11/02/new-chair-vice-chair-elected-alabama-democratic-party/ |website=WSFA |access-date=3 January 2026 |date=November 2, 2019}}</ref>
====Chairmanship (2022–present)==== Kelley was endorsed by Joe L. Reed in his 2022 run for chair of the ADP.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Lyman |first1=Brian |title=Randy Kelley elected Alabama Democratic Party chair after contentious meeting |url=https://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/story/news/2022/08/13/randy-kelley-elected-alabama-democratic-party-chair-after-contentious-meeting/10312699002/ |website=Montgomery Advertiser |access-date=3 January 2026 |date=August 13, 2022}}</ref> He defeated Tabitha Isner on August 13, 2022, to become the next party chair. Isner was later elected as vice chair in the same meeting.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Glenn |first1=John H. |title=Randy Kelley elected chairman of the Alabama Democratic Party |url=https://www.alreporter.com/2022/08/15/randy-kelley-selected-as-new-chairman-for-the-alabama-democratic-party/ |website=Alabama Political Reporter |access-date=3 January 2026 |date=August 15, 2022}}</ref> At a meeting in July 2023, Kelley stated that no one in attendance was allowed to record the meeting. Isner objected to this, stating that state law allows for one-party consent in regard to digital recording. Kelley then interrupted her, shouting, "you be quiet, girl."<ref>{{cite web |last1=Rocha |first1=Alander |title='You be quiet, girl:' Alabama Democrats' board meeting made private after members protest |url=https://alabamareflector.com/2023/07/29/you-be-quiet-girl-alabama-democrats-board-meeting-made-private-after-members-protest/ |website=Alabama Reflector |access-date=3 January 2026 |date=July 29, 2023}}</ref>
He has been part of a long-running feud involving former U.S. Senator Doug Jones and state party leaders such as Kelley and Reed. In August 2024, Kelley claimed that Jones orchestrated a "plot to prevent Blacks from electing delegates of their choosing to the DNC."<ref name="ALJones">{{cite web |last1=Koplowitz |first1=Howard |title=Alabama Democratic Party chairman says blocking convention delegates racially motivated; Doug Jones calls it 'Trump-like' rhetoric |url=https://www.al.com/news/2024/08/alabama-democratic-party-chairman-claims-dnc-didnt-ok-his-convention-delegates-because-hes-black.html |website=AL.com |access-date=3 January 2026 |date=August 13, 2024}}</ref> The claims came after several delegates were denied entry into the convention. Jones stated that while he was not part of the initial decisions to deny delegates, he was involved with the process of selecting replacements.<ref name="ALJones"/>
In March 2025, Kelley alleged that Jones was soliciting donations on behalf of the state party. Jones denied the allegations and threatened legal action against Kelley in the form of a defamation lawsuit.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Moon |first1=Josh |title=Former Sen. Doug Jones threatens legal action against Alabama Democratic chair |url=https://www.alreporter.com/2025/03/18/former-sen-doug-jones-threatens-legal-action-against-alabama-dem-chair/ |website=Alabama Political Reporter |access-date=3 January 2026 |date=March 18, 2025}}</ref> Despite initially claiming that he would not retract his statements, Kelley issued a retraction less than a week following the threats.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Moon |first1=Josh |title=ADP chair issues retraction, ends fundraising spat with former senator |url=https://www.alreporter.com/2025/03/24/adp-chair-issues-retraction-ends-fundraising-spat-with-former-senator/ |website=Alabama Political Reporter |access-date=3 January 2026 |date=March 24, 2025}}</ref>
==References== {{Reflist}}
{{Democratic State Chairs}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Kelley, Randy}} Category:Living people Category:Alabama Democratic Party chairs Category:Alabama Democrats Category:21st-century Alabama politicians Category:Jacksonville State University alumni Category:Interdenominational Theological Center alumni Category:Year of birth missing (living people)