Aiya Attaway Kelley enters Senate District 20 race

Aiya Attaway Kelley has announced her candidacy for the Oklahoma Senate seat currently held by exiting Senator AJ Griffin.

“With Senator Griffin’s announcement that she is not running for re-election, it is important that we have a strong voice championing our community at the state Capitol as we move forward.”

Kelley, running as a Republican, says she has been visiting homes and businesses about her background, education and conservative beliefs.

“Our critical priorities are the subject of many of these conversations and we have clear direction from constituents: ensure best education outcomes for Oklahoma students, deliver transparency and accountability in government practices to Oklahomans, build a strong infrastructure to attract business and enterprise to Oklahoma and guarantee that the freedom and liberties that our founders fought for are protected,” Kelley stated.

Kelley, born in Okinawa, Japan, where her parents served as missionaries after twenty years of service in the United States Air Force. She has lived in Guthrie for over thirty years, graduating from the University of Central Oklahoma with a Bachelor of Arts degree in piano performance. Kelley was the first female to graduate from the same university with a Master of Arts degree in jazz studies and sound engineering/music production.

Kelley, who had already been crowned Mrs. Guthrie Regency International, won the recent Mrs. Oklahoma Regency International 2018 pageant and will be traveling to Las Vegas to represent the state and to compete for Mrs. US/Regency International.

Kelley completed her eleventh year as a professor of piano and music at Langston University, and has taught all grades from preschool through high school, leading her high school vocalists to regional and national titles, according to her website.