In July 1981, Kimmerly was nominated by the Yukon New Democratic Party as its candidate for the October by-election for the electoral district of Whitehorse South Centre.[2] The riding had been left vacant following the resignation of Jack Hibberd. Kimmerly won the by-election, which resulted in the New Democrats replacing the Yukon Liberal Party as the Official Opposition in the Legislative Assembly.[1][3][4] He was re-elected in the 1982 and 1985 elections.[5][6] Following the 1985 election, which saw the Yukon New Democratic Party form government for the first time, Kimmerly was appointed Minister of Justice.[7]
Kimmerly had a seven-year relationship with Audrey McLaughlin, who managed two of his political campaigns.[9] He married Carol Smith on the floor of the Yukon legislature in 1986.[10] Following Kimmerly's departure from politics, the couple moved to Duncan, British Columbia to run a 10-acre organic farm.[8]