Jesse Kelly

❧

Wikipedia

Jesse Kelly
Kelly in 2017
Born (1981-07-20) July 20, 1981 (age 44)
Steubenville, Ohio, USA
EducationBozeman High School
Montana State University
Occupations
  • Radio personality
  • broadcaster
  • writer
Employer(s)Premiere Networks
iHeartMedia
KPRC
Political partyRepublican
Spouse
Aubrey Yarbrough
​
(m. 2011)​
Children2
Websitejessekellyshow.com

Jesse Kelly is an American conservative radio host, political commentator, and former political candidate. An avowed anti-communist, he hosts the nationally syndicated talk radio program The Jesse Kelly Show and the digital television show I'm Right with Jesse Kelly on The First TV. Kelly is known for his blunt commentary on politics, culture, and veteran issues from a right-wing perspective.

Early life and education

Kelly was born July 20, 1981, in Steubenville, Ohio,[1] in the state's Rust Belt region.[2] He attended Bozeman High School and Montana State University,[3] leaving to enlist in the U.S. Marine Corps in 2000.[4]

Military career

Kelly served as an infantry Marine, being deployed to Iraq in 2003 during Operation Iraqi Freedom[5] as part of the Second Persian Gulf War. He achieved non-commissioned officer status and received multiple service awards and commendations.[citation needed]

Kelly received an honorable discharge in 2004 after four years of service. Following his military service, he worked as a project manager in his family's construction business in Arizona.[6]

Political career

Kelly, a member of the Republican Party, ran for Congress in Arizona twice. In 2010, he campaigned for Arizona's 8th congressional district with no prior political experience, winning the Republican primary but losing the general election to incumbent Democrat Gabrielle Giffords 47.3–48.8%.[7][8][9] His platform emphasized economic recovery through free markets, opposition to government spending and the Affordable Care Act, border security including a double-layer fence, support for veterans, and Second Amendment rights.[citation needed]

In 2012, following Giffords' resignation, Kelly ran in the special election for the same district,[10] winning the Republican primary but losing the general election to Democrat Ron Barber, 45.4–52.3%.[11]

Kelly additionally entered the regular 2012 election for Arizona's 2nd congressional district but withdrew before the Republican primary on August 28.[12] After his campaigns, Kelly built a following on social media to continue conservative advocacy.[citation needed]

Media career

Kelly began his radio career in 2018, hosting a one-hour show on KPRC 950 AM in Houston, Texas,[13] which later expanded to two hours.[14] The Jesse Kelly Show debuted in national syndication in April 2020 through Key Networks and was picked up by Premiere Networks in 2021.[15] The three-hour weekday program features political analysis, caller interactions, guest interviews, and cultural commentary from a conservative viewpoint, often incorporating Kelly's military experiences and veteran issues.[citation needed] The Premiere Networks contract was renewed for a three-year period in April 2024.[16] Noted for keeping American up on "hot topics and issues. From news and politics, to business and social issues," Premiere stated, "the U.S. Marine combat veteran shares his unique and entertaining perspective, unfiltered opinions and trademark humor as he discusses the latest headlines and welcomes a variety of guests and experts." The renewal continued their broadcast of the show to "more than 200 stations in top markets nationwide".[16]

As of 2021, he also hosted the digital TV show I'm Right with Jesse Kelly on The First TV.[17]

Kelly is active on social media, with over 350,000 followers on Twitter (now X) as of 2024, where he shares political commentary. He has appeared as a commentator on major networks and received nominations and awards in the radio industry. He reported live on the 2024 Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, along with his friends and fellow radio hosts Clay Travis and Buck Sexton.[18]

Kelly is a long-time friend of conservative pundits Tucker Carlson and Megyn Kelly, and has promoted them on his television show, and been a frequent guest on both Carlson's[19][20] and Kelly's[21][22] podcasts, including after the attempted assassination of Donald Trump in Pennsylvania.[23][24] He later joined them on their respective live tours in 2024[25] and 2025.[26]

Books

  • Kelly, Jesse (June 6, 2023). The Anti-Communist Manifesto. New York, New York: Threshold Editions. ISBN 978-1-6680-1088-4.
    • A USA Today review adds, "Featuring practical tools and tactics to not only identify communists but also defend the United States from this malicious enemy, The Anti-Communist Manifesto is an instructive guide for all patriots."[27]

References

  1. ↑ Star, Brady McCombs Arizona Daily (May 20, 2012). "Jesse Kelly: Lower taxes; less gov't always better". Arizona Daily Star. Retrieved November 23, 2025.
  2. ↑ "Jesse Kelly Show". 93.9 The Eagle. Retrieved November 23, 2025.
  3. ↑ Nintzel, Jim (December 2, 2009). "Jesse Kelly on War, Health Care Reform, Federal Spending and the Rosemont Mine". Tucson Weekly. Retrieved November 22, 2025.
  4. ↑ "Sgt Jesse Kelly | cvfc1". combatveteransforcongress.org. Retrieved November 23, 2025.
  5. ↑ "US Marine Corps (USMC) Corporal (CPL) Jesse Kelly and USMC Private First Class (PFC) Eugune, 7th Marines Weapons Company-Alpha Co 1ST Battalion, 7th Marines (1/7) practice setting up an M224 60mm Lightweight Mortar system during Operation ENDURING FREEDOM at Camp Coyote, Kuwait - U.S. National Archives & DVIDS Public Domain Search". U.S. National Archives & DVIDS. February 13, 2001. Archived from the original on July 28, 2021. Retrieved November 22, 2025.
  6. ↑ "Jesse Kelly Bio" (PDF). Key Networks. Retrieved November 23, 2025.
  7. ↑ Smith, Dylan (January 24, 2012). "Jesse Kelly files to replace Giffords". Tucson Sentinel. Retrieved November 23, 2025.
  8. ↑ "Arizona (08) House 2010". Sabato's Crystal Ball. Retrieved November 23, 2025.
  9. ↑ Cournoyer, Caroline (April 18, 2012). "Jesse Kelly Wins Arizona GOP Primary to Replace Giffords". Governing. Retrieved November 22, 2025.
  10. ↑ Smith, Dylan (January 24, 2012). "Jesse Kelly files to replace Giffords". Tucson Sentinel. Retrieved November 22, 2025.
  11. ↑ Isenstadt, Alex (June 13, 2012). "Barber wins Arizona special election". POLITICO. Retrieved November 23, 2025.
  12. ↑ Condon, Stephanie (June 14, 2012). "No rematch for Giffords' old House seat". CBS News. Retrieved November 22, 2025.
  13. ↑ LinkedUpRadio, Envisionwise Website Service /. "On Air - The Patriot - Buffalo's Conservative Talk". 1270thepatriot.com. Retrieved November 22, 2025.
  14. ↑ "KPRC Adds Jesse Kelly And Sean Salisbury To Evenings". Insideradio.com. June 28, 2021. Retrieved February 12, 2026.
  15. ↑ "The Jesse Kelly Show | Premiere Networks". www.premierenetworks.com. Retrieved November 22, 2025.
  16. 1 2 "Jesse Kelly Renews Long-Term Deal with Premiere Networks | Premiere Networks". www.premierenetworks.com. Retrieved February 12, 2026.
  17. ↑ "I'm Right w/Jesse Kelly". The First TV. November 20, 2025. Retrieved November 22, 2025.
  18. ↑ Jesse Kelly Crashes the RNC Set to Have Some Fun. Retrieved July 18, 2024 – via www.youtube.com.
  19. ↑ The Real Reason Republicans Aren’t Stopping the Invasion. Retrieved April 17, 2024 – via www.youtube.com.
  20. ↑ Tucker Carlson Joins Jesse Kelly. Retrieved December 14, 2023 – via www.youtube.com.
  21. ↑ Secrets of Hollywood's Culture, and Kamala's Border Failures, with Rob Schneider and Jesse Kelly. Retrieved September 27, 2024 – via www.youtube.com.
  22. ↑ Watch Trump and Obama Laugh and Chat While Kamala Gets Snubbed at Carter Funeral, with Jesse Kelly. Retrieved January 10, 2025 – via www.youtube.com.
  23. ↑ Donald Trump Survives Assassination Attempt at Rally. Retrieved July 23, 2024 – via www.youtube.com.
  24. ↑ "They Let This Happen" Tucker Carlson Reflects On Trump Assassination Attempt. Retrieved August 26, 2024 – via www.youtube.com.
  25. ↑ Jesse Kelly & Nicole Shanahan: Transhumanism, Kamala’s Plan to Take Your Guns, and How to Save Texas. Retrieved September 19, 2024 – via www.youtube.com.
  26. ↑ Donald Trump Jr. and Jesse Kelly - "Megyn Kelly Live," on Speaking Truth and Staying in the Fight. Retrieved October 25, 2025 – via www.youtube.com.
  27. ↑ "The Anti-Communist Manifesto". USA TODAY. Retrieved February 12, 2026.