Katherine Clark

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Katherine Clark
BornKatherine Marlea Clark
17 7, 1963
BirthplaceNew Haven, Connecticut, U.S.
NationalityAmerican
OccupationPolitician, lawyer
TitleHouse Minority Whip
Known forServing as House Minority Whip since 2023; U.S. Representative for Massachusetts's 5th congressional district
Children3

Katherine Marlea Clark (born July 17, 1963) is an American lawyer and politician who has served as House Minority Whip since January 2023, making her the second-ranking Democrat in the United States House of Representatives. She has represented Massachusetts's 5th congressional district since December 2013, when she won a special election to succeed Ed Markey, who had been elected to the United States Senate. Before entering Congress, Clark built a career in law and state government, served on the Melrose School Committee, and held seats in both the Massachusetts House of Representatives and the Massachusetts Senate. Her congressional district encompasses many of Boston's northern and western satellite cities and suburbs, including Medford, Framingham, Woburn, Waltham, and her home city of Revere. Throughout her career, Clark has focused on issues related to education, criminal justice, working families, and government accountability. As Democratic Whip, she serves under House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries and has emerged as one of the most prominent voices in the House Democratic caucus.[1][2]

Early Life

Katherine Marlea Clark was born on July 17, 1963, in New Haven, Connecticut.[1] She grew up in Connecticut before pursuing a career in law that would eventually bring her to Massachusetts. After completing her legal education, Clark worked as an attorney in several states, gaining experience in both the private and public sectors. In 1995, she moved to Massachusetts, where she took on roles in state government.[2]

Clark's entry into public service began at the local level. In 2002, she joined the Melrose School Committee, where she served for several years and became committee chair in 2005.[2] Her work on education policy at the municipal level provided a foundation for her later legislative career and helped establish her reputation within the local political community. This local government experience would prove instrumental in launching her career in the Massachusetts state legislature and, ultimately, the United States Congress.

Career

Massachusetts State Legislature

Clark was first elected to the Massachusetts House of Representatives in 2008, representing the 32nd Middlesex district. She succeeded Mike Festa in the seat and served in the state House from March 13, 2008, to January 5, 2011.[2][3]

During her time in the state House, Clark worked on legislation related to criminal justice, education, and municipal governance. She earned recognition from several organizations for her legislative work. The Massachusetts Municipal Association honored her as one of nine Legislators of the Year during this period.[4] She was also named Legislator of the Year by the Massachusetts Police Association, reflecting her work on criminal justice issues during her tenure in the state legislature.[5]

In 2010, Clark won the Democratic primary for a seat in the Massachusetts Senate.[6] She succeeded Richard Tisei in the Senate and served from January 5, 2011, to December 10, 2013.[2]

As a state senator, Clark continued her focus on policy areas she had championed in the House. She contributed to significant pension reform legislation, which was signed into law by Governor Deval Patrick on November 18, 2011. The legislation addressed municipal pension systems and represented a notable achievement in state fiscal policy.[7] Clark also filed legislation in the Massachusetts Senate addressing various policy matters during the 188th session of the General Court.[8]

Clark was involved in the passage of an animal control reform bill, which Governor Patrick signed into law in Ashland.[9]

Her legislative record drew support from various advocacy organizations. NARAL Pro-Choice Massachusetts endorsed her, recognizing her support for reproductive rights during her time in the state legislature.[10] The Women's Bar Association of Massachusetts also recognized Clark for her work.[11]

2013 Special Election to Congress

In June 2013, Ed Markey won a special election to fill the U.S. Senate seat vacated by John Kerry, who had been appointed Secretary of State. This created a vacancy in Massachusetts's 5th congressional district. Clark was among the Massachusetts state lawmakers who began exploring a run for the open congressional seat.[12]

Clark entered the Democratic primary for the 5th district special election and competed against several other candidates. On October 15, 2013, she won the Democratic primary, advancing to the general election against Republican nominee Frank Addivinola.[13] Clark's candidacy received the endorsement of EMILY's List, the national organization that supports pro-choice Democratic women candidates.[14]

Clark won the special general election on December 10, 2013, and took office on December 12, 2013, beginning her service as the U.S. Representative for Massachusetts's 5th congressional district.[1][15]

U.S. House of Representatives

Since entering Congress in December 2013, Clark has been reelected in every subsequent general election cycle, and as of 2026 is serving her seventh term representing the 5th congressional district.[2][16] She serves on the House Appropriations Committee, one of the most influential committees in Congress, which controls federal spending legislation.[2]

Clark rose steadily through the ranks of the House Democratic leadership. In January 2019, she was elected Vice Chair of the House Democratic Caucus, succeeding Linda Sánchez in the role. She held this position through January 2021, serving under Speaker Nancy Pelosi.[2]

In January 2021, Clark was elected Assistant Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, succeeding Ben Ray Luján, who had been elected to the U.S. Senate. As Assistant Speaker, she served as the fourth-ranking House Democrat and worked alongside Speaker Pelosi during the 117th Congress. She held the position until January 2023.[2]

Following the 2022 midterm elections, in which Democrats lost their House majority, Clark was elected House Minority Whip in November 2022, with her term beginning on January 3, 2023. She succeeded Steve Scalise, who had held the equivalent majority whip position. In this role, she serves as the second-ranking House Democrat under Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries.[2] The whip's primary function is to count votes, build support for the caucus's legislative priorities, and ensure party discipline on key votes.

Legislative Priorities and Public Positions

As a member of the House Appropriations Committee, Clark has focused on issues including education funding, child care, public health, and government accountability. Her policy positions have reflected the priorities she championed in the Massachusetts state legislature, including criminal justice reform and support for working families.

In her role as Democratic Whip, Clark has served as a prominent spokesperson for the House Democratic caucus. In October 2025, she released a statement criticizing mass firings carried out by the Trump administration, framing the issue as one of government accountability and the impact on federal workers and public services.[17]

In November 2025, Clark participated in discussions about a congressional vote to reopen the federal government during a government shutdown, appearing on NPR to discuss the Democratic caucus's position on the matter.[18]

In early 2026, Clark publicly criticized a Republican-backed voting bill, arguing that it was designed to suppress voter turnout among women.[19] She also appeared on Meet the Press NOW to address immigration enforcement issues, calling on Republicans to hold federal agencies accountable.[20]

In February 2026, following a Supreme Court decision striking down tariffs imposed by the Trump administration, Clark released a statement highlighting the economic damage she said the tariffs had caused to American consumers and businesses.[21][22][23]

Electoral History

Clark has consistently won reelection by comfortable margins in the heavily Democratic 5th congressional district. Her electoral record in the district dates to her initial special election victory in 2013 and extends through multiple general election cycles.[24][25][26][27]

In January 2026, it was reported that Clark faced dual primary challenges from candidates running to her left for the 2026 election cycle. Political analysts noted, however, that she remained in a strong position within her district. Jeff Berry, a retired Tufts University political scientist, was quoted as saying that "Katherine Clark is safe as she can be" and that "She's popular in her district."[28]

Personal Life

Katherine Clark resides in Revere, Massachusetts.[2] She has three children.[1] Beyond these publicly documented details, Clark has maintained a relatively private personal life throughout her political career.

Recognition

Clark has received recognition from several organizations over the course of her career in public service. During her time in the Massachusetts state legislature, she was named a Legislator of the Year by the Massachusetts Municipal Association, which recognized her for her contributions to municipal governance and policy.[29]

The Massachusetts Police Association also named Clark its Legislator of the Year, citing her work on criminal justice issues while serving in the state legislature.[30]

The Women's Bar Association of Massachusetts recognized Clark for her contributions to the legal profession and public service.[31]

Clark received the endorsement of EMILY's List during her 2013 congressional campaign, and NARAL Pro-Choice Massachusetts endorsed her during her state legislative career.[32][33]

Her rise to the position of House Minority Whip, the second-highest ranking position in the House Democratic caucus, represents the culmination of a political career that began at the local level on the Melrose School Committee and advanced through both chambers of the Massachusetts state legislature before reaching the United States Congress.

Legacy

Katherine Clark's political career reflects a trajectory from local government to national party leadership that spans more than two decades. Her path from the Melrose School Committee to the position of House Minority Whip illustrates a methodical ascent through Democratic politics at the municipal, state, and federal levels. As one of the highest-ranking women in Congress and the highest-ranking member of the Massachusetts congressional delegation in terms of party leadership, Clark holds a significant position in the structure of the Democratic Party in the House of Representatives.

Her legislative work in the Massachusetts state legislature, particularly on pension reform, criminal justice, and education, established a policy foundation that she carried into her congressional career. In Congress, her appointment to the Appropriations Committee gave her influence over federal spending priorities, and her subsequent election to successively higher leadership positions — Vice Chair of the Democratic Caucus, Assistant Speaker, and Minority Whip — placed her at the center of the party's legislative strategy and messaging efforts.

Clark's tenure as Minority Whip has coincided with a period of significant political polarization, and she has served as a principal spokesperson for House Democrats on issues ranging from government shutdowns and federal workforce policy to tariffs and voting rights. Her continued electoral strength in the 5th congressional district, even in the face of primary challenges, reflects her established position within Massachusetts Democratic politics.

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 "Clark, Katherine Marlea".Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=C001101.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  2. ↑ 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10 "Katherine Clark".Ballotpedia.http://ballotpedia.org/wiki/index.php/Katherine_Clark.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  3. ↑ "Katherine Clark — Profile".Massachusetts Legislature.https://malegislature.gov/People/Profile/KMC0.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  4. ↑ "MMA Honors 9 Legislators of Year".Massachusetts Municipal Association.http://www.mma.org/about-mma-mainmenu-62/mma-news/6243-mma-honors-9-legislators-of-year.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  5. ↑ "Clark is MA Police Association's Legislator of the Year".Wakefield Patch.http://wakefield.patch.com/groups/politics-and-elections/p/clark-is-ma-police-associations-legislator-of-the-year.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  6. ↑ "MELROSE 2010 PRIMARY ELECTION RESULTS: Clark wins Senate primary".Wicked Local Melrose.http://www.wickedlocal.com/melrose/news/x1470550142/MELROSE-2010-PRIMARY-ELECTION-RESULTS-Clark-wins-Senate-primary-Lucas-takes-GOP-nomination-in-House-race#ixzz2XywyqLZl.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  7. ↑ "Governor Patrick Signs Pension Reform".Office of the Governor of Massachusetts.2011-11-18.http://www.mass.gov/governor/pressoffice/pressreleases/2011/111118-pension-reform-signed.html.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  8. ↑ "Senate Bill S796".Massachusetts Legislature.https://malegislature.gov/Bills/188/Senate/S796.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  9. ↑ "Patrick signs animal control reform bill in Ashland".MetroWest Daily News.http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/news/x1602167167/Patrick-signs-animal-control-reform-bill-in-Ashland.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  10. ↑ "Pro-Choice Massachusetts Endorsement".NARAL Pro-Choice Massachusetts.2010-08-26.http://www.prochoicemass.org/media/press/20100826.shtml.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  11. ↑ "Women's Bar Association Recognition".Women's Bar Association of Massachusetts.http://www.womensbar.org/content.aspx?page_id=5&club_id=808000&item_id=22376.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  12. ↑ "Mass. Lawmakers Eyeing Markey".WBUR.2013-02-22.http://www.wbur.org/2013/02/22/mass-lawmakers-eyeing-markey.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  13. ↑ "Katherine Clark, Frank Addivinola win primaries in race to replace Markey in House".The Boston Globe.2013-10-15.http://www.boston.com/politicalintelligence/2013/10/15/katherine-clark-frank-addivinola-win-primaries-race-replace-markey-house/lTQewzFeSERI1x70udBbFM/story.html.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  14. ↑ "EMILY's List Endorses Katherine Clark for Congress".EMILY's List.http://emilyslist.org/news/releases/emilys-list-endorses-katherine-clark-for-congress.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  15. ↑ "Race Detail — MA-05 Special Election 2013".Our Campaigns.http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=707456.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  16. ↑ "Race Detail — MA-05 2014".Our Campaigns.http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=679282.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  17. ↑ "Whip Clark Statement on the Trump Administration's Mass Firings".Office of Democratic Whip Katherine Clark.2025-10-10.http://democraticwhip.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases/whip-clark-statement-on-the-trump-administration-s-mass-firings.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  18. ↑ "Rep. Katherine Clark, D-Mass., talks about upcoming vote to reopen the government".NPR.2025-11-12.https://www.npr.org/2025/11/12/nx-s1-5606050/rep-katherine-clark-d-mass-talks-about-upcoming-vote-to-reopen-the-government.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  19. ↑ "The Hill: Dem rep says Republicans 'afraid of women voting'".Office of Democratic Whip Katherine Clark.https://democraticwhip.house.gov/newsroom/in-the-news/the-hill-dem-rep-says-republicans-afraid-of-women-voting.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  20. ↑ "Whip Clark to GOP: "Choose Americans. Choose Their Security."".Office of Democratic Whip Katherine Clark.https://democraticwhip.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases/whip-clark-to-gop-choose-americans-choose-their-security.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  21. ↑ "Whip Clark Statement on Supreme Court Decision Striking Down Trump Tariffs".Office of Democratic Whip Katherine Clark.2026-02-21.https://democraticwhip.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases/whip-clark-statement-on-supreme-court-decision-striking-down-trump-tariffs.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  22. ↑ "Press Release: Katherine Clark and Massachusetts Democrats Respond to Supreme Court Decision Striking Down Trump Tariffs".Quiver Quantitative.https://www.quiverquant.com/news/Press+Release%3A+Katherine+Clark+and+Massachusetts+Democrats+Respond+to+Supreme+Court+Decision+Striking+Down+Trump+Tariffs.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  23. ↑ "Patch: 'Damage Has Already Been Done': MA Dems Respond As Supreme Court Strikes Down Trump Tariffs".Office of Congresswoman Katherine Clark.https://katherineclark.house.gov/in-the-news?ID=42F2A55F-E767-4F61-8500-23F3799EE98A.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  24. ↑ "Race Detail — MA-05 elections".Our Campaigns.http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=502677.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  25. ↑ "Race Detail — MA-05 elections".Our Campaigns.http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=402026.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  26. ↑ "Race Detail — MA-05 elections".Our Campaigns.http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=402027.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  27. ↑ "Race Detail — MA-05 elections".Our Campaigns.http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=126912.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  28. ↑ "Rep. Clark faces dual primary challenges from the left".WBUR.2026-01-02.https://www.wbur.org/news/2026/01/02/massachusetts-clark-congress-whip-challengers.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  29. ↑ "MMA Honors 9 Legislators of Year".Massachusetts Municipal Association.http://www.mma.org/about-mma-mainmenu-62/mma-news/6243-mma-honors-9-legislators-of-year.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  30. ↑ "Clark is MA Police Association's Legislator of the Year".Wakefield Patch.http://wakefield.patch.com/groups/politics-and-elections/p/clark-is-ma-police-associations-legislator-of-the-year.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  31. ↑ "Women's Bar Association Recognition".Women's Bar Association of Massachusetts.http://www.womensbar.org/content.aspx?page_id=5&club_id=808000&item_id=22376.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  32. ↑ "EMILY's List Endorses Katherine Clark for Congress".EMILY's List.http://emilyslist.org/news/releases/emilys-list-endorses-katherine-clark-for-congress.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  33. ↑ "Pro-Choice Massachusetts Endorsement".NARAL Pro-Choice Massachusetts.2010-08-26.http://www.prochoicemass.org/media/press/20100826.shtml.Retrieved 2026-02-24.

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