Former state rep Kelly announces Columbia mayor bid

A former local state representative is now running to be Columbia’s next mayor.

Chris Kelly announced Monday he will file for the office on Tuesday morning. That vote is in April 2019.

“I see the job of mayor as part refers and part advocate, an honest broker who acknowledges our problems, looks at the facts, suggests solutions, works the wings, and throws flames when necessary,” Kelly said in a news release.

Besides his time representing part of Columbia in the Missouri House, Kelly is also a former county clerk and judge. Brian Treece has served as Columbia’s mayor since 2016.