Trent Kelly

Trent Kelly
Born	John Trent Kelly 1 3, 1966
Birthplace	Union, Mississippi, U.S.
Nationality	American
Occupation	Politician, lawyer, military officer
Known for	U.S. Representative for Mississippi's 1st congressional district
Spouse(s)	Sheila Kelly
Children	3
Website	[https://trentkelly.house.gov/ Official site]

John Trent Kelly (born March 1, 1966) is an American lawyer, politician, and retired United States Army major general who has served as the U.S. representative for Mississippi's 1st congressional district since June 2, 2015. A member of the Republican Party, Kelly won a special election to succeed the late Alan Nunnelee and has since been reelected to multiple full terms. Before entering Congress, he served as the district attorney of Mississippi's 1st Judicial District from 2012 to 2015. Kelly's career has been shaped by a parallel path of military service spanning four decades, including deployments during the Gulf War and the Iraq War, during which he rose to the rank of major general in the Mississippi Army National Guard. In the 119th Congress, he serves as chairman of the House Armed Services Committee's Subcommittee on Seapower and Projection Forces, where he oversees acquisition programs for the Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps.

Early Life

John Trent Kelly was born on March 1, 1966, in Union, Mississippi, a small city in Newton County in the eastern part of the state. He grew up in rural Mississippi, and his upbringing in the state's northeastern region would later define the constituency he came to represent in Congress. Kelly's early years were rooted in the communities of small-town Mississippi, an environment that shaped his later commitments to public service through both the military and the law.

Kelly began his military career at a young age, enlisting in the Mississippi Army National Guard in 1985 at the age of nineteen. This decision to join the National Guard while still a young man set the course for a military career that would span four decades and include service in two wars. His early military training and service coincided with his pursuit of higher education, as Kelly balanced the dual demands of academic study and military obligations throughout his formative years.

Education

Kelly pursued a broad legal and academic education at several Mississippi institutions. He earned his undergraduate degree and went on to study law, ultimately obtaining a Juris Doctor degree. Kelly also earned a master's degree in strategic studies, further complementing his legal training with expertise relevant to his military career. His educational background in both law and strategic studies positioned him for the dual-track career in legal practice and military service that came to define his professional life. The combination of legal credentials and advanced military education proved instrumental as Kelly rose through the ranks in both the courtroom and the armed forces.

Career

Military Service

Kelly's military career in the Mississippi Army National Guard began in 1985 and extended for approximately four decades, during which he advanced from an enlisted soldier to the rank of major general. His service included deployments in two major conflicts. He served during the Gulf War in the early 1990s, and he later deployed to Iraq as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Kelly's advancement through the military ranks was a notable feature of his career. He was promoted to the rank of brigadier general in the Mississippi National Guard, a milestone covered by regional media outlets. He subsequently achieved the rank of major general, making him one of the highest-ranking military officers to concurrently serve in the United States Congress.

His combat experience and long tenure in the National Guard have been central to his identity as a legislator, particularly informing his work on the House Armed Services Committee. Kelly's military service concluded around 2025 after approximately forty years in uniform.

In 2019, Kelly received the Do'stlik Order (Order of Friendship) from Uzbekistan in recognition of contributions related to bilateral relations.

In September 2025, Kelly publicly expressed support for President Donald Trump's efforts to mobilize the National Guard in American cities, drawing on his own extensive experience as a retired National Guard officer.

Legal Career and District Attorney

Before entering Congress, Kelly built a career in the legal profession in Mississippi. He practiced law in the northeastern part of the state, establishing himself as a legal professional in the region he would later represent in Washington.

In 2012, Kelly became the district attorney of Mississippi's 1st Judicial District, succeeding John Young in the position. As district attorney, he was responsible for prosecuting criminal cases across several counties in northeastern Mississippi. He served in this role from January 1, 2012, until June 2, 2015, when he resigned to take his seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. He was succeeded as district attorney by John Weddle.

Kelly's tenure as district attorney gave him experience in the criminal justice system and in managing a public office, both of which served as preparation for his transition to federal legislative service.

2015 Special Election

Kelly's path to Congress began with the death of incumbent Representative Alan Nunnelee, who had represented Mississippi's 1st congressional district and who died on February 6, 2015, after a battle with brain cancer. A special election was called to fill the vacant seat.

Kelly entered the Republican primary for the special election, running on a platform that emphasized his military service, his experience as district attorney, and his conservative values. The special election attracted significant attention in Mississippi, with multiple candidates competing for the seat. Kelly described the congressional position as "the ultimate service job," framing his candidacy as a continuation of his career in public service through both the military and the law.

The special election proceeded through multiple rounds. Kelly advanced through the initial primary election and into a runoff. He won the runoff decisively, securing the Republican nomination, and then won the general election on June 2, 2015, to claim the seat. Some of the remaining campaign funds from Alan Nunnelee's account were directed to Kelly's campaign, a common practice for successor candidates.

Congressional Career

Kelly was sworn in to the United States House of Representatives on June 2, 2015, representing Mississippi's 1st congressional district, which encompasses the northeastern corner of the state. He has since been reelected to multiple consecutive terms, maintaining a firm hold on the district, which has been a reliably Republican constituency.

Throughout his time in Congress, Kelly has focused on national defense, veterans' affairs, and agricultural issues pertinent to his largely rural district. His military background has made him a prominent voice on the House Armed Services Committee, where his experience as a combat veteran and senior National Guard officer has informed his legislative positions on defense matters.

2017 Congressional Baseball Shooting

On June 14, 2017, Kelly was among the Republican members of Congress present at a practice session for the annual Congressional Baseball Game at Eugene Simpson Stadium Park in Alexandria, Virginia, when a gunman opened fire on the group. House Majority Whip Steve Scalise was critically wounded in the shooting, and several other people were injured. The shooter, identified as James T. Hodgkinson, was killed by Capitol Police officers at the scene. The incident drew widespread bipartisan condemnation, including from former Representative Gabby Giffords, who had survived a shooting in 2011.

House Armed Services Committee and Seapower Subcommittee

Kelly's most prominent congressional role has been on the House Armed Services Committee, where he has risen to chair the Subcommittee on Seapower and Projection Forces. In this capacity, he oversees oversight and authorization of acquisition programs for the Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force projection capabilities.

In July 2025, Kelly delivered opening remarks at a hearing on the Seapower and Projection Forces print of the Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), outlining the subcommittee's priorities for naval and air force modernization. In June 2025, he presided over a hearing focused on restoring confidence in America's defense industry, signaling his concern about the state of the defense industrial base.

SHIPS for America Act

In April 2025, Kelly joined a bipartisan group of lawmakers—including Representative John Garamendi (D-CA), Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ), and Senator Todd Young (R-IN)—to introduce the SHIPS for America Act, described as the most ambitious legislative effort in a generation to revitalize the American shipbuilding and commercial maritime industries. The legislation aimed to strengthen both the U.S. economy and national security by investing in domestic shipbuilding capacity. The bipartisan nature of the bill reflected Kelly's willingness to work across party lines on defense-related legislation.

2026 Election Cycle

For the 2026 election cycle, Kelly faces a challenge from Democrat Cliff Johnson, a civil rights attorney who has advocated for the rights of prisoners and other vulnerable populations in Mississippi. Johnson announced his candidacy in October 2025, setting up a contest in the heavily Republican 1st congressional district.

Personal Life

Kelly resides in Mississippi with his wife, Sheila Kelly. The couple has three children. Kelly has maintained deep ties to his home state throughout his career, continuing to live in the district he represents. His personal life has been closely intertwined with his professional commitments, as both his military service in the Mississippi National Guard and his legal career were based in the state.

Kelly has spoken publicly about his faith and his commitment to community involvement in Mississippi, consistent with the cultural values of the rural district he represents. His long tenure in the National Guard, including deployments that took him away from his family, has been a defining aspect of both his personal and professional life.

Recognition

Kelly's career has been marked by several forms of recognition across his military and political service. His promotion to the rank of major general in the Mississippi Army National Guard represented one of the highest distinctions achievable in the state's military establishment.

In 2019, he was awarded the Do'stlik Order (Order of Friendship) by the Republic of Uzbekistan, a recognition of his contributions to the bilateral relationship between the United States and Uzbekistan.

His elevation to the chairmanship of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Seapower and Projection Forces has been recognized within defense policy circles as a significant position of influence over American naval and air power acquisition programs.