Everything you need to know about ranked-choice voting in one spot. Click to learn more!

Kelly Loeffler

From Ballotpedia
Jump to: navigation, search


Kelly Loeffler
Image of Kelly Loeffler

Nonpartisan

Administrator of the Small Business Administration
Tenure

2025 - Present

Term ends

2029

Years in position

0

Predecessor
Prior offices
U.S. Senate Georgia
Successor: Raphael Warnock
Predecessor: Johnny Isakson
Elections and appointments
Last election

January 5, 2021

Personal
Religion
Christian
Contact

Official website

Official Facebook

Official Twitter

Official Instagram

Campaign website

Campaign Facebook

Campaign Twitter

Campaign Instagram

Campaign YouTube

Personal LinkedIn


Kelly Loeffler (Republican Party) is the administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) in President Donald Trump's (R) second presidential term and a former U.S. senator from Georgia. Trump announced on December 4, 2024, that he had selected Loeffler as his nominee for SBA administrator.[1] The Senate voted 52-46 to confirm Loeffler on February 19, 2025.[2]

At her confirmation hearing on January 29, Loeffler said she would use the position to "cut red tape and modernize this agency while restoring the accountability and transparency that taxpayers deserve," "crack down on fraud with a zero-tolerance policy," "collaborate across government and the private sector to deliver efficiency and results," and "meet the challenge of disaster relief."[3] Loeffler also said, "Each taxpayer dollar entrusted to the SBA should have an economic multiplier effect, delivering productive capital to grow manufacturing, strengthen rural communities, create jobs, and develop critical technologies like AI and chips."[3]

Loeffler was born in Bloomington, Illinois in 1970 and grew up on a farm. Loeffler earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and an MBA from DePaul University. Before her appointment to the U.S. Senate in 2019, Loeffler worked as a finance executive and venture capitalist. Her career experience includes working as chief communications and marketing officer and head of investor relations at Intercontinental Exchange, serving on the board of directors for the Georgia Power Company, being the CEO of Bakkt, a cryptocurrency trading platform, and being the co-owner of the Atlanta Dream WNBA team.[4][5]

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp (R) appointed Loeffler to the U.S. Senate after Johnny Isakson (R) resigned in December 2019 for health reasons. Loeffler served in the Senate from January 2020 to January 2021, when she lost the Jan. 5 special runoff election for the seat to Raphael Warnock (D) 51%-49%.[6][7] With Warnock's win in the special runoff election and Jon Ossof's (D) win in the regular runoff election, Democrats won control of the U.S. Senate.

During her time in the Senate, Loeffler voted to acquit Trump in his first impeachment trial.[8] On Jan. 4, 2021, Loeffler said she planned to vote against the Electoral College certification process for the 2020 presidential election.[9] On Jan. 6, following the breach of the U.S. Capitol, Loeffler voted to certify the election and said, "The events that have transpired today have forced me to reconsider, and I cannot now, in good conscience, object."[10]

After leaving office in 2021, Loeffler founded Greater Georgia Action, a political organization which focuses on "registering more voters, mobilizing diverse communities, promoting issue advocacy, and defending election integrity, to preserve strong leadership up and down the ballot."[11] In 2023, Loeffler also launched RallyRight, which she describes as a "political technology startup dedicated to empowering conservative candidates at every level."[12][13][14]

Biography

Loeffler grew up in Illinois. She received a bachelor's degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and an M.B.A. from DePaul University.[12]

Loeffler formerly co-owned the Atlanta Dream WNBA team. She served as chief communications and marketing officer and as head of investor relations for Intercontinental Exchange, a firm that operates commodity and financial exchanges, for 16 years.

Career timeline

  • 2023-2025: Director, PublicSquare
  • 2021-2025: Founder and chairwoman, Greater Georgia
  • 2020-2021: U.S. senator from Georgia
  • 2019: Member, Board of Directors, Georgia Power Company
  • 2018-2019: CEO, Bakkt
  • 2011: Became co-owner of the Atlanta Dream WNBA team
  • 2002-2018: Chief communications and marketing officer and head of investor relations, Intercontinental Exchange
  • 2001-2002: Investor relations, The Crossroads Group
  • 1999-2001: Equity research associate, William Blair
  • 1999: Equity research associate, Citi
  • 1992-1996: District account manager, Toyota North America

Nomination for administrator of the Small Business Administration

See also: Donald Trump presidential transition, 2024-2025 and Confirmation process for Kelly Loeffler for administrator of the Small Business Administration
Donald Trump's Cabinet
(second term)
Candidate: Kelly Loeffler
Position: Administrator of the Small Business Administration
ApprovedaAnnounced:December 4, 2024
ApprovedaHearing:January 29, 2025
ApprovedaCommittee:Small Business and Entrepreneurship
ApprovedaReported:Favorable (12-7)
ApprovedaConfirmed:February 19, 2025
ApprovedaVote:52-46

Trump announced on December 4, 2024, that he had selected Loeffler as his nominee for administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration in his second presidential term. In a statement, Trump said, "Small Businesses are the backbone of our Great Economy. Kelly will bring her experience in business and Washington to reduce red tape, and unleash opportunity for our Small Businesses to grow, innovate, and thrive. She will focus on ensuring that SBA is accountable to Taxpayers by cracking down on waste, fraud, and regulatory overreach."[15]

The Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee held a hearing for Loeffler on January 29, 2025.[16] The Senate voted 52-46 to confirm Loeffler on February 19, 2025.[17] Click here to read more about the confirmation process.

Summary of Senate vote on Kelly Loeffler's nomination for administrator of the Small Business Administration (February 19, 2025)
Party Votes for Votes against Not voting
Democratic Party Democrats 1 44 0
Republican Party Republicans 51 0 2
Grey.png Independents 0 2 0
Totals 52 46 2



Elections

2020

See also: United States Senate special election in Georgia, 2020 (Loeffler vs. Warnock runoff)

General runoff election

Special general runoff election for U.S. Senate Georgia

Raphael Warnock defeated incumbent Kelly Loeffler in the special general runoff election for U.S. Senate Georgia on January 5, 2021.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Raphael Warnock
Raphael Warnock (D)
 
51.0
 
2,289,113
Image of Kelly Loeffler
Kelly Loeffler (R)
 
49.0
 
2,195,841

Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 4,484,954
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

General election

Special general election for U.S. Senate Georgia

The following candidates ran in the special general election for U.S. Senate Georgia on November 3, 2020.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Raphael Warnock
Raphael Warnock (D)
 
32.9
 
1,617,035
✔
Image of Kelly Loeffler
Kelly Loeffler (R)
 
25.9
 
1,273,214
Image of Doug Collins
Doug Collins (R)
 
20.0
 
980,454
Image of Deborah Jackson
Deborah Jackson (D) Candidate Connection
 
6.6
 
324,118
Image of Matt Lieberman
Matt Lieberman (D) Candidate Connection
 
2.8
 
136,021
Image of Tamara Johnson-Shealey
Tamara Johnson-Shealey (D)
 
2.2
 
106,767
Silhouette Placeholder Image.png
Submit photo
Jamesia James (D)
 
1.9
 
94,406
Image of Derrick Grayson
Derrick Grayson (R)
 
1.0
 
51,592
Silhouette Placeholder Image.png
Submit photo
Joy Felicia Slade (D)
 
0.9
 
44,945
Image of Annette Davis Jackson
Annette Davis Jackson (R)
 
0.9
 
44,335
Image of Kandiss Taylor
Kandiss Taylor (R) Candidate Connection
 
0.8
 
40,349
Image of A. Wayne Johnson
A. Wayne Johnson (R) Candidate Connection
 
0.7
 
36,176
Image of Brian Slowinski
Brian Slowinski (L)
 
0.7
 
35,431
Image of Richard Dien Winfield
Richard Dien Winfield (D) Candidate Connection
 
0.6
 
28,687
Image of Ed Tarver
Ed Tarver (D) Candidate Connection
 
0.5
 
26,333
Image of Allen Buckley
Allen Buckley (Independent)
 
0.4
 
17,954
Image of John Fortuin
John Fortuin (G)
 
0.3
 
15,293
Image of Elbert Bartell
Elbert Bartell (Independent) Candidate Connection
 
0.3
 
14,640
Image of Valencia Stovall
Valencia Stovall (Independent) Candidate Connection
 
0.3
 
13,318
Image of Michael Todd Greene
Michael Todd Greene (Independent) Candidate Connection
 
0.3
 
13,293
Image of Rod Mack
Rod Mack (Independent) (Write-in) Candidate Connection
 
0.0
 
7

Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source 1 Source 2

Total votes: 4,914,368
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Watch the Candidate Conversation for this race!

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Campaign themes

2020

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Kelly Loeffler did not complete Ballotpedia's 2020 Candidate Connection survey.

Campaign website

Loeffler's campaign website stated the following:

“

Jobs and The Economy

Thanks to bold conservative leadership on the state and federal level, our unemployment rate in Georgia - and throughout the country - is at historic lows. Our economy is growing and American families are finally seeing growth in their 401ks. As a businesswoman and political outsider, Kelly is working in Washington to advance pro-growth policies that keep our state and country moving in the right direction. She is proud to champion President Trump's economic agenda to Keep America Great!

Fair Trade

Kelly grew up on a family farm and experienced firsthand the impact of burdensome government regulations and ill-advised trade deals. In the U.S. Senate, she championed President Trump’s USMCA agreement, which will create jobs and economic opportunities in Georgia and throughout the nation.

2nd Amendment

Growing up on a farm, Kelly learned how to shoot and hunt at a young age. She is a strong supporter of our 2nd Amendment Rights and firmly opposes every effort to undermine our Constitutional Rights.

Life

A devout Christian, Kelly Loeffler is unapologetically pro-life. During her short time in the U.S. Senate, she has co-sponsored four bills to protect the unborn. She is proud to be endorsed by Susan B Anthony List - a leading pro-life organization in America.

Military and Veterans

As the daughter and granddaughter of veterans, Kelly Loeffler knows that freedom isn't free and those who answered the call of duty must be honored not just with words - but by our actions. On the Veterans Affairs Committee, Kelly is working to ensure that our veterans receive the resources and care they deserve. From high-quality healthcare to job training and placement, we must fully support America's true heroes.

Ag & Rural Georgia

Growing up on a farm, Kelly knows firsthand the opportunities and challenges that exist in rural communities throughout our state and country. As a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, she is working to advance policies that keep every part of our state - including Rural Georgia - growing. From High-Speed Internet Access to fair trade deals that keep family farms strong and prosperous, Kelly Loeffler is a champion for farmers, agri-business leaders, and rural families in the Peach State.

Sex Trafficking

Every day, hundreds of innocent children are bought and sold for sex in Georgia. Kelly is proud to support the efforts of First Lady Marty Kemp, Ivanka Trump, and others to completely eradicate human trafficking in our state and country. By raising awareness and advancing legislation, we can protect the innocent and help survivors recover and thrive.

Opioid Epidemic

Opioids are killing innocent Georgians - and Americans - at a record pace. We must continue to support policies on the state and federal level that provide resources and care to those who are struggling with this dangerous - and often deadly - addiction.

Foreign Policy

With decades of experience in international business, Kelly understands the importance of strong foreign policy that puts America first. She supports the President's decisions to kill Iran's terrorist leader and recently applauded efforts to broker a peace deal between Israel and the Palestinians. Kelly believes that America's military should be strong and our leadership bold.

National Security and Illegal Immigration

Thanks to career politicians in Washington, our borders are broken and public safety has been completely compromised. Kelly Loeffler is 100% committed to completing President Trump's border wall, deporting MS-13 gang members, and completely reforming America's legal immigration system.

Healthcare

Like you, Kelly Loeffler knows that we need accessible, affordable healthcare in Georgia. On the HELP Committee, Kelly will partner with the President to lower prescription drug prices, end surprise medical billing, and help put people ahead of the special interests. Just like Governor Kemp, Kelly wants to ensure a better, brighter, and healthier future for our state.

Taxes and The Deficit

For nearly three decades, Kelly Loeffler was in the private sector - growing jobs and economic opportunity in our state and beyond. She knows that low taxes empower innovators and business owners to grow, expand, and invest. Kelly supports policies that make our state and country the best place for business. In the Senate, Kelly supports efforts to reduce the Democrats' reckless spending agenda and reign in the national debt. Now, more than ever, we need to be good stewards of tax dollars and ensure that the American people are getting a good return on their investment.[18]

”
—Kelly Loeffler's campaign website (2020)[19]


Noteworthy events

Alleged insider trading leading up to the U.S. Coronavirus Pandemic, 2020

On March 20, 2020, the New York Times alleged Loeffler, along with some other senators, traded stocks after receiving a Senate Intelligence Committee briefing related to the effect the coronavirus outbreak will have on the American economy.[20][21] The Department of Justice conducted an investigation into Loeffler's stock sales that closed on May 26, 2020.[22]

Loeffler sold between $1,275,000 and $3,100,000 in stocks that would likely be negatively impacted by the coronavirus and invested in a teleconferencing software company days after the briefing.[20]

Loeffler responded in a Fox News interview saying the insider trading allegations were false and all of the transactions she made were routine changes to her stock portfolio.[23]

On April 8, Loeffler announced in a Wall Street Journal opinion piece that she and her husband would sell their stock holdings and convert them to mutual funds and exchange-traded funds. Loeffler said in the piece, "I’m not doing this because I have to. I’ve done everything the right way and in compliance with Securities and Exchange Commission regulations, Senate ethics rules and U.S. law. I’m doing it because the issue isn’t worth the distraction."[24]

On May 14, a spokeswoman for Loeffler said that Loeffler provided documents regarding the trades in question to the Department of Justice, the Securities and Exchange Commission, and the Senate Ethics Committee. The spokeswoman did not indicate whether the documents were requested or provided voluntarily. Her statement said, "The documents and information demonstrated [Loeffler] and her husband’s lack of involvement in their managed accounts, as well the details of those accounts. Senator Loeffler has welcomed and responded to any questions from day one."[25]

On May 26, representatives from Loeffler's office confirmed that the Department of Justice notified them of the conclusion of the investigation.[22] The Senate Ethics Committee subsequently dismissed the allegations against Loeffler. On June 16, the committee wrote in a letter to Loeffler, "Based on all the information before it, the Committee did not find evidence that your actions violated federal law, Senate Rules, or standards of conduct. Accordingly, consistent with its precedent, the Committee has dismissed this matter."[26] Loeffler's spokesperson responded to the letter in an emailed statement that said, "The Senate Ethics Committee has come to the exact same conclusion as the U.S. Department of Justice: Senator Loeffler did absolutely nothing wrong and has been completely exonerated."[27]

Congressional tenure

Key votes

See also: Key votes

Ballotpedia monitors legislation that receives a vote and highlights the ones that we consider to be key to understanding where elected officials stand on the issues. To read more about how we identify key votes, click here.

Key votes: 116th Congress, 2019-2021

The 116th United States Congress began on January 9, 2019, and ended on January 3, 2021. At the start of the session, Democrats held the majority in the U.S. House of Representatives (235-200), and Republicans held the majority in the U.S. Senate (53-47). Donald Trump (R) was the president and Mike Pence (R) was the vice president. We identified the key votes below using Congress' top-viewed bills list and through marquee coverage of certain votes on Ballotpedia.

Key votes: 116th Congress, 2019-2021
Vote Bill and description Status
Yes check.svg Yea Yes check.svg Passed (96-0)
Yes check.svg Yea Yes check.svg Passed (90-8)
Yes check.svg Yea Yes check.svg Passed (96-1)
Yes check.svg Yea Yes check.svg Passed (84-13)
Not Voting Yes check.svg Passed (81-13)
Red x.svg Nay Yes check.svg Passed (84-10)
Red x.svg Not guilty Red x.svg Not Guilty (52-48)
Red x.svg Not guilty Red x.svg Not Guilty (53-47)
Yes check.svg Yea Yes check.svg Passed (89-10)


See also

2020 Elections

Ballotpedia Election Coverage Badge.png
What's on the ballot?
U.S. President
U.S. Congress
U.S. Congress special elections
State executives
State legislatures
State courts
Ballot measures
Municipal government
School boards
Election analysis hub

Government

Seal of Georgia.png
Who represents me?
U.S. Congress
State executives
State legislators
State courts
Ballot measures
Municipal government
School boards

Newsletters

Ballotpedia RSS.jpg
Coronavirus Weekly Updates
Documenting America's Path to Recovery
The Heart of the Primaries
The Daily Brew
The Weekly Brew
The Ballot Bulletin
Checks and Balances
Economy and Society
Hall Pass
Number of the Day
Robe & Gavel
Union Station


External links

Footnotes

  1. ↑ Truth Social, "Trump on December 4, 2024," accessed December 5, 2024
  2. ↑ Senate Press Gallery, "Wednesday, February 19, 2025," February 19, 2025
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 NBC, "Loeffler in opening statement: Small businesses 'power the American economy,'" January 29, 2025
  4. ↑ LinkedIn, "Kelly Loeffler, accessed January 30, 2025
  5. ↑ Kelly Loeffler Official website, "Biography," accessed January 30, 2025
  6. ↑ The Washington Post, "Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp (R) names Kelly Loeffler to fill Senate seat in move that could set up clash with Trump," December 4, 2019
  7. ↑ Biographical Directory of the 117th U.S. Congress," "Kelly Loeffler Biography," accessed January 30, 2025
  8. ↑ Georgia Recorder, "Loeffler confirms vote to acquit, Dems make final pitch for ousting Trump," February 4, 2020
  9. ↑ New York Times, "Senator Kelly Loeffler of Georgia says she will join the vote to overturn Biden’s electors." January 4, 2021
  10. ↑ New York Times, "Here are the Republicans who objected to certifying the election results." January 7, 2021
  11. ↑ Greater Georgia, "Home," accessed February 7, 2025
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 LinkedIn, "Kelly Loeffler," accessed February 7, 2025 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name "linkedin" defined multiple times with different content
  13. ↑ Kelly Loeffler Official website, "Biography," accessed February 7, 2025
  14. ↑ Politico ,"Kelly Loeffler is back with a new GOP company inspired by her loss three years ago," January 5, 2024
  15. ↑ Truth Social, "Trump on December 4, 2024," accessed December 5, 2024
  16. ↑ Senate.gov, "Hearings & Meetings," accessed January 29, 2025
  17. ↑ Senate Press Gallery, "Wednesday, February 19, 2025," February 19, 2025
  18. ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
  19. ↑ Kelly Loeffler's 2020 campaign website, "Issues," accessed November 19, 2020
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named nationalreview
  21. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named newyorktimes
  22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 The Hill, "Justice Department closing stock investigations into Loeffler, Inhofe, Feinstein," May 26, 2020
  23. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named foxnews
  24. ↑ Wall Street Journal, "I Never Traded on Confidential Coronavirus Information," April 8, 2020
  25. ↑ Atlanta Journal-Constitution, "Loeffler supplies documents to DOJ, SEC, Ethics regarding stock sales," Mat 14, 2020
  26. ↑ United States Senate Select Committee on Ethics, "Letter to The Honorable Kelly Loeffler," June 16, 2020
  27. ↑ Roll Call, "Sen. Loeffler ethics inquiry dismissed," June 16, 2020
  28. ↑ Congress.gov, "H.R.748 - CARES Act," accessed March 22, 2024
  29. ↑ Congress.gov, "H.R.6201 - Families First Coronavirus Response Act," accessed April 27, 2024
  30. ↑ Congress.gov, "H.R.6074 - Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2020," accessed April 27, 2024
  31. ↑ Congress.gov, "H.R.6395 - William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021," accessed April 27, 2024
  32. ↑ Congress.gov, "H.R.6395 - William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021," accessed April 27, 2024
  33. ↑ Congress.gov, "H.R.8337 - Continuing Appropriations Act, 2021 and Other Extensions Act," accessed April 27, 2024
  34. ↑ Congress.gov, "H.Res.755 - Impeaching Donald John Trump, President of the United States, for high crimes and misdemeanors.," accessed April 28, 2024
  35. ↑ Congress.gov, "H.Res.755 - Impeaching Donald John Trump, President of the United States, for high crimes and misdemeanors.," accessed April 28, 2024
  36. ↑ Congress.gov, “H.R.5430 - United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement Implementation Act,” accessed April 28, 2024
Political offices
Preceded by
Johnny Isakson (R) 		U.S. Senate - Georgia
2020-2021 		Succeeded by
Raphael Warnock (D)
v • e
Trump Administration (second term)
Overviews
Cabinet
Members not requiring Senate confirmation

Members nominated by the Senate


Georgia's current delegation to the United States Congress
Senators
Jon Ossoff (D)
Raphael Warnock (D)
Representatives
District 1
District 2
District 3
District 4
District 5
District 6
District 7
District 8
District 9
District 10
District 11
District 12
District 13
District 14
Republican Party (9)
Democratic Party (7)


Flag of Georgia
v • e
State of Georgia
Atlanta (capital)
Elections

What's on my ballot? | Elections in 2025 | How to vote | How to run for office | Ballot measures

Government

Who represents me? | U.S. President | U.S. Congress | Federal courts | State executives | State legislature | State and local courts | Counties | Cities | School districts | Public policy


Retrieved from "https://ballotpedia.org/wiki/index.php?title=Kelly_Loeffler&oldid=10380914"