Arlington Connection, September 18, 2007 (excerpts)
It’s never easy to run for public office and it’s especially difficult if you’ve never done it before. But you have to start somehow, and Mark Kelly is doing just that. Kelly is taking his first dive into electoral politics this year with his quest to become Arlington County’s new Clerk of Courts.
"It’s really an administrative position," Kelly said. And, according to Kelly, administrative experience is something he has in spades. Kelly’s former job was as the chief of staff for the office of former U.S. Rep. Jim Ryun (R-Kan.). "Having closely worked with Mark for several years," Ryun said in a statement, "I am confident he will bring professionalism and integrity to the… office."
"As the chief of staff, one of things I enjoyed was serving the constituency," Kelly said. "Every day we had constituents call in and… we helped them cut through bureaucratic red tape. I enjoy that… the service aspect of being in the government."
"When the people of Arlington look at local offices, they want someone who will get results," Kelly said. "They don’t so much care about party labels."
"I think when you talk to people," Kelly added, "You just tell them what you’re about and what you want to do for them. The people of Arlington are very receptive."
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