In 1981, Governor Treen appointed Kelly to the board of the newly established Louisiana School for Math, Science and the Arts in Natchitoches.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.legis.state.la.us/boards/board_members.asp?board=369 Louisiana Boards and Commissions|title=Louisiana Boards and Commissions|publisher=Louisiana House of Representatives|accessdate=December 7, 2011}}</ref>
In 2003, the Democrat Kelly contributed to the reelection campaign of [[Moderate Republican]] [[U.S. Representative]] James Otis "Jim" McCrery, III, whose then 4th congressional district includes Natchitoches Parish. In 2004, Kelly gave the maximum $2,000 permitted under federal law to the Democratic presidential nominee, [[U.S. Senator]] [[John Kerry]] of [[Massachusetts]], who was defeated by [[George W. Bush]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.city-data.com/elec/elec-NATCHITOCHES-LA.html|title=Natchitoches, LA Political Contributions by Individuals|publisher=city-data.com|accessdate=December 7, 2019}}</ref>