Semaj C. Redd

About Semaj

Semaj Martin-Redd serves as Legislative Director and National Security Advisor to Congressman Trent Kelly (MS-01), Chairman of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Seapower and Projection Forces. In this role, he oversees the Congressman’s full legislative operation—setting strategic direction, managing the legislative team, and coordinating policy development across all issue areas.

He leads the Congressman’s national security and defense portfolio, advising on force structure, maritime strategy, defense acquisition, and the U.S. defense industrial base. His work focuses on advancing policies that strengthen warfighting readiness, sustain shipbuilding and logistics capabilities, and preserve America’s long-term strategic and technological advantage. His contributions to issues affecting the National Guard have been recognized with the Patrick Henry Award from the National Guard Association of the United States. Semaj has also led Congressman Kelly’s efforts on the SHIPS for America Act, helping secure its inclusion in the 2026 National Defense Authorization Act during the committee markup process and its successful passage on the House floor.

Beyond national security, Semaj has helped steer Congressman Kelly’s Farm Bill priorities in both the 118th and 119th Congresses. He also led Congressman Kelly’s efforts to secure $10 billion in economic assistance for American farmers, the largest such economic assistance package for farmers to date, which was enacted through the American Relief Act of 2025. 

Semaj holds a Master’s degree in Military Operational Art and Science, with a concentration in Joint Warfare, from the U.S. Air Command and Staff College, and a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Mississippi State University, with minors in German, International Studies, and Philosophy. He is a Fulbright grantee, an alumnus of the PPIA Junior Summer Institute at the Princeton School of Public and International Affairs, and a finalist for both the Marshall and Rhodes Scholarships.

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