Janet Vestal Kelly

• Robert Keith Polarek

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  (m. 1997,divorced)​
• Ryan Patrick Kelly
  

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  (m. 2012)​

Janet Vestal Kelly
Vestal Kelly in 2025
16th Virginia Secretary of Health and Human Resources
In office July 8, 2024 –January 17, 2026
Children	3
Education	Liberty University (BA)
Signature

Janet Vestal Kelly (born February 16, 1976) is an American civil servant who served as the Virginia Secretary of Health and Human Resources from 2024 to 2026. She previously served as the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Virginia from 2010 through 2014 as part of the cabinet of Governor Bob McDonnell. ^{[1] [2]}

Career

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]

Personal life

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 Archived 2015-02-06 at the Wayback Machine , 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