In order to boost the MCAS scores and academic performance of minority groups, Kelley has pushed for increased access to academic resources such as the library system.

“We’re failing,” he says. “We need to do a lot more reaching out.”

Kelley identifies similar problems within the criminal justice system. “We’re jailing young black men—it’s a terrible statistic.”

To combat local crime, Kelley aims to create a stronger partnership between the public and the police to deter criminal activity and encourage more consistent enforcement of laws. “We need to be intentional and be honest without being judgmental,” he says.

In discussions of the social and economic problems within Cambridge, Kelley constantly returns to his wish to transform the city by creating “well-formed citizens.”

“We need to figure out how Cambridge can form an environment where you don’t react by shooting,” says Kelley. “We need to create a new culture and environment for how we treat each other.”

At the same time, Kelley understands that his ability to improve Cambridge is limited. “The danger is that I’m the white Irish guy and my societal norms may not be yours. We need to be cautious.”

Since Kelley took office, he has frequently attracted controversy. Often casting the sole dissenting vote, the incumbent candidate has disagreed with other City Council members on various proposals, most recently on the North Cambridge zoning law and affordable housing formula.

“I’m known as Mr. 8 to 1,” says Kelley. “But that’s life. I like to think that they are opportunities for me to help the Council recalibrate its thinking.”

Kelley also has openly disagreed with Cambridge City Manager Robert W. Healy, writing in a statement that Cambridge needs a city manager with “a long range vision for our City rather than a time-sensitive, reflexive ‘stay the course’ response.”

Nonetheless, Kelley says that whether or not he is reelected, he will find ways to execute the changes he envisions.

“I’m not losing a leg or an arm over this,” he says. “If I believe something is wrong, I will fix it.”

Kelley currently lags behind the other incumbent candidates in campaign donations, with contributions totaling $275 as of late September.

Kelley maintains his hope that Cambridge become a “world where people can access all of the opportunities.”

“It’s tough for a white guy from Wellesley to come and change the world,” Kelley says. “But it’s also hard for him to be quiet.”