Daniel James Kelly
Candidate for State Representative, 2nd Essex District
Background
- Occupation
- Retired lawyer
- Lives in
- Ipswich
- Campaign website
- votedankelly.com
A lawyer for more than 35 years who advised clients on government contracts and grants, he retired in 2022 and moved to Ipswich, where he has served on the Ipswich Cultural Council. He volunteered with Veterans Legal Services at the Bedford VA.
Documented positions
Public safety
Supports enforcement against dangerous offenders, protection for refugees
ReportVOTE411 Voter Guide: 2026 State House Second Essex DistrictCandidate questionnaire · League of Women Voters of Massachusetts (VOTE411) · onyourballot.vote411.org
“Dangerous offenders should face lawful enforcement, while people with legitimate claims to asylum or refugee protection, such as Afghans fleeing persecution, deserve protection.”
Housing
Opposes top-down state housing mandates on towns
ReportVOTE411 Voter Guide: 2026 State House Second Essex DistrictCandidate questionnaire · League of Women Voters of Massachusetts (VOTE411) · onyourballot.vote411.org
“Beacon Hill should not become the planning board for every town.”
Supports ADUs, tiny homes and commercial conversions
ReportVOTE411 Voter Guide: 2026 State House Second Essex DistrictCandidate questionnaire · League of Women Voters of Massachusetts (VOTE411) · onyourballot.vote411.org
“expand ADUs, tiny homes, and commercial conversions, and provide incentives, infrastructure assistance, and financing tools that help towns create the housing they actually need”
Opposed Ipswich adopting the Specialized Stretch Code
ReportVOTE411 Voter Guide: 2026 State House Second Essex DistrictCandidate questionnaire · League of Women Voters of Massachusetts (VOTE411) · onyourballot.vote411.org
“In Ipswich, I fought adoption of the Specialized Stretch Code and led an effort to repeal the existing Stretch Code”
Environment & parks
Supports all-of-the-above energy including gas and nuclear
ReportVOTE411 Voter Guide: 2026 State House Second Essex DistrictCandidate questionnaire · League of Women Voters of Massachusetts (VOTE411) · onyourballot.vote411.org
“I support an all-of-the-above approach that includes natural gas, nuclear, hydro, wind, solar, storage, and energy efficiency.”
Health & human services
Supports stronger review of proposed insurance mandates
ReportVOTE411 Voter Guide: 2026 State House Second Essex DistrictCandidate questionnaire · League of Women Voters of Massachusetts (VOTE411) · onyourballot.vote411.org
“I support the approach behind S.916 to strengthen review of proposed insurance mandates”
Other issues in this race
Other candidates in this race addressed these topics. We found no documented position from Daniel James Kelly on them.
- EducationNo documented position found.
- Government & transparencyNo documented position found.
- Courts & justiceNo documented position found.
All sources (4)
- 2026 State Election Candidates
Election filing · Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Elections Division · sec.state.ma.us
- 2026 State Election Candidates (Essex County offices and districts)
Election filing · Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Elections Division · sec.state.ma.us
- About Dan — Dan Kelly for State Representative
Campaign website · Committee to Elect Dan Kelly · votedankelly.com
- VOTE411 Voter Guide: 2026 State House Second Essex District
Candidate questionnaire · League of Women Voters of Massachusetts (VOTE411) · onyourballot.vote411.org
Positions are summarized from the sources listed and are not inferred from party affiliation. Items marked “Provided by” were published by the candidate's verified campaign or party office under our campaign content standards. See something wrong? Use the Report link beside it, or contact us.