Kelly Westlund announced her candidacy for the Wisconsin State Senate shortly after stepping down from her position as the Northwest Regional Representative for U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin, a position she held since 2015. 

Kelly grew up in a military family and settled in northern Wisconsin twenty years ago, after earning her degree in Conflict Resolution from Northland College in Ashland.

She went on to work with a local nonprofit organization, the Alliance for Sustainability, where her efforts were focused on helping rural communities become more self-reliant. While serving as Executive Director, Kelly coordinated a regional pilot project with the State Office of Energy Independence to reduce energy costs and advance the use of renewable energy alternatives. She also worked with local businesses and municipalities to reduce waste and promote more sustainable day-to-day operations as part of the Green Team Network of Early Adopters of Sustainability.

As a small business owner, Kelly spent several years managing projects for a variety of interests, including the Bayfield Food Producers Cooperative. Her work was dedicated to helping area producers focus on what they do best, while building a local food system that could support their businesses for generations to come.

She is married to Caleb, a talented carpenter who is an avid outdoorsman, no matter the season. Since 2017, she and Caleb have worked with other community volunteers to renovate and revitalize the historic Bay City Cultural Center, a nonprofit dance hall and community space built in 1913, which is lovingly known as the Bohemian Hall in Ashland. 

Kelly is also a founding member of the Chequamegon Bay young professionals organization, CheqYes, a volunteer with the Red Cross, a member of the Wisconsin Farmers Union, and a graduate of the Leadership Wisconsin (formerly Wisconsin Rural Leadership) program. She served on the Ashland City Council from 2011-2013, and was a candidate for federal office in 2014.