Congresswoman Clark Announces Candidacy for Democratic Whip

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, November 18, Assistant Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Katherine Clark (MA-5) announced her candidacy for the position of Democratic Whip. In a letter to colleagues, Assistant Speaker Clark outlined her goals: delivering results for the American people, empowering Members, and unifying the Democratic Caucus. 

Clark proudly serves the Fifth District of Massachusetts. Her career in public service is driven by her commitment to helping children and families succeed. She is a vocal advocate for protecting women’s health care, access to affordable, high-quality child care, paid family leave, pay equity, and other reforms to address the challenges women and families face.

During the pandemic, she led the fight to save the child care industry, securing $50 billion in federal relief funding to keep child care providers open and get parents back to work. 

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She is a member of the U.S. House Committee on Appropriations and three subcommittees within Appropriations: Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies; Legislative Branch; and Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies. Additionally, she serves as a member of the Steering and Policy Committee within the Caucus and is a proud member of several caucuses in Congress, including the Congressional Progressive Caucus and the Democratic Women’s Caucus.

Clark brings her experience as a state senator, state representative, general counsel for the Massachusetts Office of Child Care Services, and policy chief for the state attorney general. She represents a diverse district comprised of 24 cities and towns that stretch from the coastal communities of Revere and Winthrop through the economic engine of MetroWest. She was first elected to Congress in a special election in December 2013. 

Clark served as Vice Chair of Recruitment for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) in 2017 and the Co-Chair of the Red to Blue Committee in 2018. She played an instrumental role in helping Democrats gain control of the House in 2018. Following the election, she was elected Vice Chair of the Democratic Caucus for the 116th Congress.

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As Vice Chair, she worked in partnership with Chair Jeffries to usher the Caucus through the pandemic, ultimately helping to maintain the Majority in the 2020 election. In November 2020, she was elected Assistant Speaker, the fourth highest ranking position in House leadership and the second woman in Congressional history to be elected into the top four in House leadership. 

As Assistant Speaker, her member services focus includes mentoring the new members of the Caucus and their offices, and assisting every Democratic district office across the country. She has equipped Member offices across the Caucus with tools to lead on abortion rights, respond to disasters, support diversity and inclusion efforts, and much more. 

She has also led the charge to make the House a better place for her colleagues to thrive: using her power as a senior Appropriator on the Legislative Branch Subcommittee, she’s successfully increased the student loan repayment cap, advocated for coverage for fertility benefits and expanded child care, pushed for a higher MRA, increased funding to pay interns, led on creating new resources for caregivers, and spearheaded efforts for better bathroom access for everyone regardless of gender.

During the 2022 election, she traveled to 19 states to support her House Members across the country and amplify the work of the Democrats to lower costs, create good jobs, and make communities safer. 

Katherine and her husband Rodney live in Revere and have three children: Addison, Riley, and Nathaniel.

Dear Colleague,

Americans have rejected Republican extremism and affirmed our commitment to working people. By standing with women, for democracy, and for everyone’s economic security, we have defied expectations and secured a historically close margin in the House.

Now, we must be tough, agile, and united to stop the Republican House Majority’s dangerous agenda and take back the House.

I am ready to guide this critical work as our next Democratic Whip, and I ask for your support.

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Delivering Results: We must be disciplined about our mission and message to beat back the GOP while advancing our shared values. I will fight for our agenda and your priorities while running a strategic defense. You can trust me to listen to all corners of the Caucus, be results-oriented, and be resolute in my commitment to our values.

Communication and innovation are going to be critical to our effectiveness. We must continue to modernize and increase efficiency and responsiveness to meet the needs of members and our constituents.

Empowering Members: Our collective strength comes from you. Your wealth of talent and experience are assets, and your ability to voice the needs of your constituents is our best compass as we chart a path forward.

I will develop a strategy with you focused on the needs of your district. Members across the Caucus must be involved in the decision-making process and take a prominent role. I will help us deliver results while promoting and protecting you.

Uniting Together: Our success will require a unified front. We are a team, and we must leverage our strength to win.

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Effective leadership is not about individual ambition, but our collective good. It is about truly listening and understanding what each member needs to be successful. I will use my voice at the leadership table to bring people and solutions together.

Time and time again, House Democrats have proven that when we stand together, we can overcome great obstacles and secure wins for the American people.

It is an incredible honor to serve with you, and I look forward to discussing my candidacy and earning your support.

Warm Regards,