Kevin Shelley

Kevin Francis Shelley (born November 16, 1955) is an American politician, who was the 28th California Secretary of State from January 6, 2003, until his resignation on March 4, 2005.

His father, Jack Shelley, was a State Senator, member of the U.S. House of Representatives, and Mayor of San Francisco.

[citation needed] Within weeks of Shelley's taking office as Secretary of State, petitions were filed to recall Governor Gray Davis, a fellow Democrat.

[3] Other accusations surfaced charging Shelley had received allegedly laundered campaign funds during his race for Secretary of State.

(After an investigation, then-state Attorney General Bill Lockyer publicly exonerated Shelley, saying he was innocent of any wrongdoing in connection with the case.

)[4] On October 29, 2004, Shelley replaced three of his top aides, including the assistant state secretary of communications, with veteran civil servants, in an effort to bring more accountability to his office.