Kelly Perry

After earning my graduate degree in 2009 in New York from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), I married my husband, Colonel Matthew Hyland—recently retired from the U.S. Air Force and a proud Connetquot High School graduate, born and raised in Oakdale. I’m incredibly lucky to have in-laws with deep local roots—one born and raised in East Islip, the other who moved to Islip as a child. I’m now a mom to two amazing kids in kindergarten and second grade in the Bayport-Blue Point school district, where we’re raising our family surrounded by love, service, and strong community values. Being born in a mid-sized Connecticut city, on the wrong side of the tracks, we faced real challenges like those in Suffolk County—economic hardship, empty storefronts, high crime in some areas, underfunded schools, and limited public transportation. But even with all that, we were proud of our industrial roots, our natural beauty, our cultural diversity, and the community festivals that brought us together.

I’m active in our schools and community—serving on our PTA and School Improvement Team, leading Cub Scouts in Pack 130, organizing a library overnight, performing science demonstrations, working the election polls at our high school, and proudly placing flags at our firehouse for 9/11.

I'm running to be a voice for Bayport, Blue Point, Bohemia, Holbrook, Holtsville, Lake Ronkonkoma, Medford, Oakdale, Sayville, and West Sayville. I’m fighting for:

➢ Affordable housing so our kids can build their futures here

➢ Good jobs that support our families

➢ Real community input on the decisions that affect us

➢ A fresh perspective shaped by life as a military spouse and working mom

➢ Clean air and safe water that every family deserves

➢ Recognition, compensation and health care that our Veterans earned and deserve

I’ll bring heart, hustle, and hands-on experience to the legislature—because I live the same challenges you do, and I believe our voices matter at every table.

I began my journey as national laboratory researcher who elevates the role of science in shaping policies. Whether engrossed in transformative research at ORNL, building and maintaining programs at the DOE, or advising at the U.S. Senate, my passion thrives at the nexus of science and strategic planning. Granted a top-secret equivalent clearance, the government entrusted me with high visibility and high-stakes projects. Time and time again, I have showcased my prowess in crafting novel solutions. Instead of shying away from challenges, I embrace them, leveraging resources and fostering relationships to pioneer groundbreaking solutions. 

Beyond the confines of my professional sphere, I am a fervent advocate for social justice, championing cultural diversity and women's rights since the dawn of the millennium. Proudly affiliated with the Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society, I uphold values of intellectual integrity and a commendable tolerance for diverse perspectives. My commitment to these principles has earned me accolades, including the prestigious Ally and Community Service of the Year awards. As a military spouse, my journey has been a global odyssey, immersing me in diverse communities worldwide (Spanish and German), I possess the cultural dexterity to connect with people on a profound level. This vibrant tapestry of experiences defines my professional and personal identity, painting a picture of resilience, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to a better, more inclusive world.

Here's how I can contribute to our community:

➢ Strategic Planning 

➢ Stakeholder Management 

➢ Communication

➢ Adaptable/Responsive 

➢ Integrity (Top Secret 2014-2018)

To contact Kelly Perry for 8th Legislative District in Suffolk County email SCNY8@kellyaperry.com