A former chair of the California Legislative LGBT Caucus, she was one of five openly LGBT members of the California State Legislature, alongside Senator Mark Leno (D–San Francisco) and Assemblymembers Tom Ammiano (D–San Francisco), Toni Atkins (D-San Diego) and John Pérez (D–Los Angeles).

As City Councilmember, she facilitated a decrease in crime in her district by initiating a public/private partnership that built a center housing a library, theater and Head Start classrooms, in addition to other community services.

[3] After two terms in the Assembly, Kehoe ran for the California State Senate in 2004 to succeed Dede Alpert in the 39th district.

The district includes the San Diego County communities of City Heights, Clairemont, Del Mar, Emerald Hills, Encanto, Hillcrest, Kearny Mesa, La Jolla, Lemon Grove, Linda Vista, Mira Mesa, Mission Beach, Mission Hills, Mission Valley, Normal Heights, North Park, Ocean Beach, Old Town, Pacific Beach and Valencia Park.

[5] Kehoe has been an ardent supporter of increased environmental protection for the state's resources in her appointed position on the California Coastal Commission.

She is also a member of the Board of Directors of the California Elected Women's Association for Education and Research (CEWAER).