Katherine Clark

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Katherine Clark
BornKatherine Marlea Clark
17 7, 1963
BirthplaceNew Haven, Connecticut, U.S.
NationalityAmerican
OccupationPolitician, lawyer
Known forHouse Minority Whip, U.S. Representative for Massachusetts's 5th congressional district
Children3
Website[Official website Official site]

Katherine Marlea Clark (born July 17, 1963) is an American lawyer and politician serving as House Minority Whip since January 2023 and as the U.S. Representative for Massachusetts's 5th congressional district since December 2013. A member of the Democratic Party, Clark has risen through the ranks of House Democratic leadership, previously serving as Assistant Speaker from 2021 to 2023 and as Vice Chair of the House Democratic Caucus from 2019 to 2021. Before entering Congress, Clark served in both chambers of the Massachusetts General Court—first as a member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives from 2008 to 2011 and then as a member of the Massachusetts Senate from 2011 to 2013. She won a special election in 2013 to succeed Ed Markey, who had vacated the seat upon his election to the United States Senate. Clark's district encompasses many of the northern and western suburbs and satellite cities of Boston, including Medford, Framingham, Woburn, Waltham, and her home city of Revere. Throughout her career in both state and federal government, Clark has focused on issues including criminal justice, education, and government accountability.[1]

Early Life

Katherine Marlea Clark was born on July 17, 1963, in New Haven, Connecticut.[1] She grew up in Connecticut before pursuing higher education and a career in law. Details regarding her parents and upbringing are limited in publicly available records, though her trajectory from Connecticut to a legal career and eventually to Massachusetts politics has been well documented through her political biography.

Clark worked as an attorney in several states before relocating to Massachusetts in 1995.[2] Upon settling in Massachusetts, she took positions in state government, gaining experience in public policy and law that would inform her later legislative career. Her legal background provided a foundation for her interest in criminal justice reform and government ethics, themes that would become central to her work in both the state legislature and the U.S. Congress.

Clark first entered public life through local civic engagement. In 2002, she joined the Melrose School Committee, a local body responsible for overseeing public education in the city.[2] She served on the committee for several years and became its chair in 2005.[2] Her service on the school committee gave her direct experience in education policy and local governance, and it established her as a recognizable figure in Middlesex County politics. This local-level work served as a stepping stone to her subsequent campaigns for the state legislature.

Education

Clark pursued legal education and earned a law degree, which enabled her to practice as an attorney in multiple states prior to her move to Massachusetts.[1] Specific details regarding her undergraduate and law school institutions are documented in the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Her legal training informed her subsequent work in state government and her legislative focus on criminal justice and policy reform during her time in both the Massachusetts General Court and the U.S. House of Representatives.

Career

Massachusetts State Legislature

Clark was first elected to the Massachusetts House of Representatives in a special election in 2008, representing the 32nd Middlesex district.[3] She succeeded Mike Festa in the seat and took office on March 13, 2008.[2] During her time in the state House, Clark focused on legislation relating to criminal justice, education, and municipal governance.

In 2010, Clark ran for the Massachusetts Senate, winning the primary election to succeed Richard Tisei, who had vacated the seat.[4] She took office in the state Senate on January 5, 2011, and was succeeded in her House seat by Paul Brodeur.[2]

As a state senator, Clark contributed to several notable pieces of legislation. She was involved in the passage of pension reform legislation, which Governor Deval Patrick signed into law on November 18, 2011. The bill addressed municipal pension systems and sought to bring greater accountability and fiscal sustainability to public employee retirement benefits.[5] Clark also worked on animal control reform legislation, which Governor Patrick signed into law during this period.[6]

Clark's legislative work in the Massachusetts General Court earned her recognition from several organizations. The Massachusetts Municipal Association named her among its Legislators of the Year, acknowledging her contributions to municipal policy and governance.[7] She was also recognized as Legislator of the Year by the Massachusetts Police Association, reflecting her work on criminal justice issues in the state legislature.[8]

During her state legislative career, Clark also received the endorsement and recognition of the Women's Bar Association of Massachusetts.[9] Additionally, she was endorsed by NARAL Pro-Choice Massachusetts during her campaigns.[10]

2013 Special Election to Congress

In June 2013, U.S. Senator John Kerry was confirmed as Secretary of State, triggering a special election for the Senate seat. Congressman Ed Markey, who represented Massachusetts's 5th congressional district, won the special Senate election, thereby creating a vacancy in the House. Clark was among several Massachusetts state legislators who considered running for the open seat.[11]

Clark entered the race and received the endorsement of EMILY's List, the national organization that supports pro-choice Democratic women candidates.[12] The special election primary took place on October 15, 2013, and Clark won the Democratic nomination, defeating several other candidates. Republican Frank Addivinola emerged as her general election opponent.[13]

Clark won the general election on December 10, 2013, and took office on December 12, 2013, beginning her service in the 113th United States Congress.[1] She succeeded Markey in representing the 5th district, which encompasses many of Boston's northern and western suburbs.

U.S. House of Representatives

Since entering Congress in December 2013, Clark has been reelected multiple times and is currently serving her seventh term representing Massachusetts's 5th congressional district.[1] Her district includes the cities and towns of Medford, Framingham, Woburn, Waltham, and her home city of Revere, among other communities north and west of Boston.

Clark sits on the House Appropriations Committee, one of the most influential committees in the House, which oversees federal spending legislation.[2]

Rise in Democratic Leadership

Clark's ascent within the House Democratic leadership has been a defining feature of her congressional career. In January 2019, she was elected Vice Chair of the House Democratic Caucus, succeeding Linda Sánchez in the role.[2] She served in this position under Speaker Nancy Pelosi through January 2021.

Following the 2020 elections, Clark was elected to the position of Assistant Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, succeeding Ben Ray Luján and serving from January 3, 2021, to January 3, 2023.[2] In this role, she worked closely with Speaker Pelosi and the broader Democratic leadership team during the 117th United States Congress.

After Democrats lost their House majority in the 2022 midterm elections, the party reorganized its leadership structure. Clark was elected House Minority Whip on January 3, 2023, the second-ranking position in the House Democratic caucus, serving under Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries. She succeeded Steve Scalise, who had held the equivalent Republican whip position.[2] As Minority Whip, Clark is responsible for counting votes, ensuring party discipline on key legislative matters, and serving as a principal spokesperson for House Democrats.

Legislative Priorities and Public Statements

Throughout her tenure in Congress, Clark has focused on issues including education funding, child care, government accountability, and voting rights. In her role as Minority Whip, she has been an outspoken critic of various policy proposals from the opposing party.

In October 2025, Clark released a statement criticizing mass firings announced by the Trump administration, calling attention to the impact on federal workers and government services.[14]

In November 2025, Clark spoke with NPR about an upcoming vote on a measure to reopen the federal government during a government shutdown, outlining the Democratic position on the spending dispute.[15]

In early 2026, Clark criticized a Republican-backed voting bill, stating that Republicans were "afraid of women voting," a remark that drew significant media attention.[16] She also appeared on Meet the Press NOW to discuss immigration enforcement, calling on Republicans to "choose Americans" and "choose their security."[17]

In February 2026, Clark released a statement following the Supreme Court's decision striking down tariffs imposed by the Trump administration, highlighting the economic impact of the tariffs and praising the Court's ruling.[18][19]

Electoral History

Clark has won her congressional seat in multiple election cycles. Her initial victory came in the December 2013 special election.[1] She has since won reelection in the general elections held in 2014, 2016, 2018, 2020, 2022, and 2024.[20][21][22]

As of early 2026, Clark faced primary challenges from candidates to her political left, though political analysts described her position as secure. Jeff Berry, a retired Tufts University political scientist, told WBUR that "Katherine Clark is safe as she can be" and that "she's popular in her district."[23]

Personal Life

Clark resides in Revere, Massachusetts, within her congressional district.[2] She has three children.[1] Clark maintains a relatively private personal life, with most public information about her focusing on her professional and political activities.

Recognition

Clark has received recognition from multiple organizations over the course of her political career. During her time in the Massachusetts state legislature, she was named a Legislator of the Year by both the Massachusetts Municipal Association and the Massachusetts Police Association, reflecting her work on municipal governance and criminal justice issues.[24][25]

She received the endorsement of EMILY's List during her 2013 congressional campaign, an endorsement typically reserved for candidates whom the organization considers competitive and aligned with its pro-choice mission.[26] Clark was also recognized by the Women's Bar Association of Massachusetts during her career.[27]

Her election as House Minority Whip in 2023 made her the highest-ranking woman in the House Democratic leadership at that time, serving as the second-ranking Democrat in the chamber behind Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries.[2]

Legacy

Katherine Clark's career trajectory—from local school committee member to the second-highest-ranking Democrat in the U.S. House of Representatives—reflects a path through successive levels of American government. Her progression from the Melrose School Committee to the Massachusetts House, the Massachusetts Senate, and ultimately the U.S. Congress followed a pattern of building on local and state-level experience before seeking federal office.

In the Massachusetts state legislature, Clark contributed to pension reform and criminal justice legislation that had measurable impacts on state policy.[28] At the federal level, her role on the House Appropriations Committee has placed her in a position to influence federal spending decisions, while her leadership role as Minority Whip has given her a significant platform within the Democratic Party's national operations.

Clark's rise within the House Democratic caucus—from rank-and-file member to Vice Chair, then Assistant Speaker, and finally Minority Whip—occurred over a relatively compressed timeframe, with each step representing an elevation in responsibility and influence within the party structure. Her position as Minority Whip places her at the center of Democratic legislative strategy and party messaging in the House.

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 "Clark, Katherine M.".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 General Court.https://malegislature.gov/People/Profile/KMC0.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  4. ↑ "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.
  5. ↑ "Governor Patrick Signs Pension Reform Legislation".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.
  6. ↑ "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.
  7. ↑ "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.
  8. ↑ "Clark is MA Police Association's Legislator of the Year".Patch (Wakefield).http://wakefield.patch.com/groups/politics-and-elections/p/clark-is-ma-police-associations-legislator-of-the-year.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  9. ↑ "Women's Bar Association".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.
  10. ↑ "NARAL Pro-Choice Massachusetts endorsement".NARAL Pro-Choice Massachusetts.2010-08-26.http://www.prochoicemass.org/media/press/20100826.shtml.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  11. ↑ "Mass. lawmakers eyeing Markey seat".WBUR.2013-02-22.http://www.wbur.org/2013/02/22/mass-lawmakers-eyeing-markey.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  12. ↑ "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.
  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. ↑ "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.
  15. ↑ "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.
  16. ↑ "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.
  17. ↑ "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.
  18. ↑ "Whip Clark Statement on Supreme Court Decision Striking Down Trump Tariffs".Office of Democratic Whip Katherine Clark.https://democraticwhip.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases/whip-clark-statement-on-supreme-court-decision-striking-down-trump-tariffs.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  19. ↑ "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.
  20. ↑ "Race Detail — MA-05".Our Campaigns.http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=502677.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  21. ↑ "Race Detail — MA-05".Our Campaigns.http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=679282.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  22. ↑ "Race Detail — MA-05".Our Campaigns.http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=707456.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  23. ↑ "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.
  24. ↑ "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.
  25. ↑ "Clark is MA Police Association's Legislator of the Year".Patch (Wakefield).http://wakefield.patch.com/groups/politics-and-elections/p/clark-is-ma-police-associations-legislator-of-the-year.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  26. ↑ "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.
  27. ↑ "Women's Bar Association".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.
  28. ↑ "Governor Patrick Signs Pension Reform Legislation".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.

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