Affairs, Ethics violations alleged in letter from estranged wife

Polk Today readers might have been curious – or suspicious – of a campaign flyer that showed up in their mailboxes in recent days, one that is full of controversy and also excludes any mention of who sent it out.

Responses to the flyer began to appear on Facebook on Tuesday after allegations were made in the mailer that claim the current 16th District Representative no longer has the trust of other state leaders and was more concerned with alleged extramarital affairs than he was his constituents.

Here is the flyer in question:

The basis for the flyer was twofold, based on its content: divorce proceedings that began in May 2021, and a letter that was sent out to certain members of the community in mid-April by Amy Kelley concerning her estranged husband’s alleged conduct during his time in office.

State Rep. Trey Kelley was sought for comment to his State House email address but this far has not provided any response about the mailer, or the letter sent out by Amy Kelley in recent days.

That letter itself, which was sent to several people in the community, includes details that have not been independently verified by Polk Today but it is being included with this story for context.

Polk Today obtained a copy of the letter via a reader who did not wish to be named but was included among the group to who it was sent out in recent weeks.

It reads as follows:

Amy Kelley had no further comment about the letter but did verify that she sent it out to community members.

She also denied any knowledge or involvement with the campaign flyer attacking her estranged husband.

Of note, one of the complaints she made in her letter was about his inclusion in campaign ads in recent weeks of his conservative values, and those were sent to Polk Today as well. Those mailers sent to Polk Today are as follows:

Scott Richards, who is challenging State Rep. Kelley for the 16th District seat in the GOP Primary on May 24, had no comment as well.

He did add that the mailer was not sent out by him, and he had no idea who sent it out, and that he wishes to keep the campaign a positive one focused on issues that impact the 16th district and the conservative values that local voters want to be upheld from state leadership.

State Rep. Kelley previously faced a criminal indictment based on his involvement in the hit-and-run death of Eric Keais, but those charges were later vacated.