As Gov.-elect Mike Braun’s transition team and priorities take shape, his right-hand man prepares to lead the staff tasked with ensuring the incoming governor’s vision becomes reality. 

Josh Kelley has quickly established a political career marked by several key achievements, including anchoring two statewide campaign victories, serving as Braun’s chief of staff in the U.S. Senate for six years and crafting a strong reputation among legislative Republicans. 

The 39-year-old Bloomington native is tasked with assembling a team that will execute Braun’s initiatives while also listening to everyday Hoosiers’ concerns, which may well add to the governor’s agenda. 

“One of the things [Braun] has always made sure we’re focusing on is guaranteeing that Hoosiers from all corners of the state, from all walks of life, have access to him,” Kelley told State Affairs. 

“Josh knows what he’s getting into, and he’ll be great at it,” said Mike Gentry, a political consultant who has worked with Kelley since 2009. “He is loyal to Braun and will help him be a success as governor. I have a positive outlook on the next four years.”

Bloomington roots

Kelley graduated from Bloomington High School North and Indiana University, where he studied history and political science. His father was an avid Rush Limbaugh listener, Kelley said, and his family regularly discussed local, state and federal politics.

Kelley’s rise in conservative circles began in a region of the state known for its more liberal leanings. After graduating from college in 2008, he became executive director of the Monroe County Republican Party. 

“He was very friendly and nice — a good worker and knowledgeable,” said John Arnold, the party’s treasurer for the past 15 years. “I saw that he would go far in politics. People who have outgoing personalities like that are sought after.”

Kelley still lives in Bloomington with his wife, Abbie, and their two children, splitting his time between his hometown and Washington, D.C. — a practice he looks forward to ending once he joins the state government. 

Kelley is also a soccer referee at the collegiate level. 

“If he wasn’t doing what he’s doing now, he’d be a Major League Soccer referee,” said Joel Russell, CEO of Indianapolis information technology consultancy Eimagine and a member of Braun’s transition team. 

Russell first met Kelley in 1990, when he played for Kelley’s late father, Joe Kelley, at Indiana University; the elder Kelley was instrumental in starting and then coaching IU’s varsity women’s soccer program. Joe Kelley was also an assistant under legendary men’s soccer coach Jerry Yeagley. 

Russell praised Josh Kelley’s leadership skills, saying he is “putting together a wide section of people saying, ‘How do we better Indiana?’”

Work on legislative campaigns

One day in late 2009, Gentry, who was executive director of the Indiana House Republican Campaign Committee at the time, met Kelley in Bloomington. 

“I just thought, ‘That young guy is impressive,’” Gentry told State Affairs. 

Within a week, Gentry had hired Kelley as a field director for the 2010 primary election season. Kelley soon joined Gentry’s political consultancy, Mark It Red, where he continued to work on Indiana House of Representatives campaigns, as well as a few local races, over the next six years. Gentry said their experience running political campaigns together has provided Kelley with a deep understanding of the Statehouse.

“He is one of the hardest-working folks I’ve met,” Gentry said of Kelley. “He knows what it takes to be successful.”

Also, Gentry added, Kelley has a good sense of humor and is fun to be around. “He’s the person on the campaign team who would make friends with everyone.” 

Senate bids

In 2015 and 2016, Kelley managed then-Rep. Marlin Stutzman’s unsuccessful campaign for the U.S. Senate. Stutzman lost in the primary to Todd Young, who went on to become a U.S. senator. Stutzman recently reclaimed his former seat in Congress in November’s election. 

Kelley then led Braun’s 2018 Senate campaign. Braun, a former state representative, defeated two sitting congressmen — Luke Messer and Todd Rokita — in the primary and then bested incumbent U.S. Sen. Joe Donnelly in the general election. 

Kelley followed Braun to Washington, D.C., where he has served ever since as Braun’s chief of staff.

What does a chief of staff do? 

Kelley described his role as making sure the staff is “effective” — that is to say, everyone performs their duties in support of Braun. 

“It’s about identifying top priorities and making sure we have the best pieces in place,” Kelley said. 

Addressing constituent problems is a priority, as is effectively managing Braun’s time. As chief of staff, Kelley will have considerable influence over whom the governor meets with and what he prioritizes his time on. 

“The first priority will be constitutional and statutory responsibilities,” Kelley said in reference to gubernatorial duties required by law, such as signing bills. “Those drive the calendar.” 

Kelley described Braun as “a great guy to work for” who “does not micromanage” his staff. Rather, Braun is an executive who seeks to empower his team. 

Kelley also plans to make use of his relationships with Republican legislators, whom he said would have “an open door” to contact Braun. The governor-elect takes a salesman’s approach to governance, Kelley said. 

“We’ll be looking to close deals in the Statehouse,” Kelley said. 

Contact Rory Appleton on X at @roryehappleton or email him at [email protected].

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