Katherine Clark

Katherine Marlea Clark{{cite news |url=http://www.boston.com/yourtown/news/2013/12/a_look_at_the_two_candidates_in_tuesdays_special_election_to.html |title=A look at the two candidates in Tuesday's special election |date=December 4, 2013 |work=The Boston Globe |author=Miller, John |access-date=January 20, 2014 |archive-date=March 11, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200311153059/https://www.boston.com/section/news |url-status=live }} was born on July 17, 1963, in New Haven, Connecticut.{{cite book |chapter-url=http://archives.lib.state.ma.us/handle/2452/119267 |title=Public Officers of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts (2009–2010) |publisher=Commonwealth of Massachusetts |page=107 |chapter=Katherine M. Clark |year=2009 |editor1-last=Welch |editor1-first=William F. |editor2-last=James |editor2-first=Stephen F. |access-date=July 1, 2013 |archive-date=October 16, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131016074901/http://archives.lib.state.ma.us/handle/2452/119267 |url-status=live }} She attended St. Lawrence University, Cornell Law School, and Harvard's John F. Kennedy School of Government.{{cite web |url=http://katherineclark.org/about/ |title=About |publisher=State Senator Katherine Clark (official website) |access-date=June 29, 2013 |archive-date=September 27, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927170114/http://katherineclark.org/about/ |url-status=live }} She studied in Nagoya, Japan, in 1983.

In her early career, she worked as an attorney in Chicago. She then moved to Colorado, where she worked as a clerk for Judge Alfred A. Arraj of the United States District Court for the District of Colorado and later as a staff attorney for the Colorado District Attorneys' Council. She moved to Massachusetts in 1995 and became general counsel for the state Office of Child Care Services.{{cite book|title=Official Congressional Directory, 2013–2014 113th Congress.|date=2014|publisher=Joint Committee on Printing|isbn=978-0-16-091922-0|pages=128–129|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=AOsRkb1EJ_EC&q=Office%20of%20Child%20Care%20Services%20katherine%20clark&pg=PA128|access-date=November 28, 2020|archive-date=January 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210108200757/https://books.google.com/books?id=AOsRkb1EJ_EC&q=Office+of+Child+Care+Services+katherine+clark&pg=PA128|url-status=live}}

In 2001, Clark moved to Melrose, where she was elected to the Melrose School Committee, taking her seat in January 2002.{{cite news |title=Tisei faces rare challenge |work=The Boston Globe |date=February 8, 2004 |author=Laidler, John}} She first ran for the Massachusetts Senate in 2004 and lost to Republican incumbent Richard Tisei.{{cite web |url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=126912 |title=MA State Senate – Middlesex & Essex Race – November 2, 2004 |publisher=Our Campaigns |access-date=October 16, 2013 |archive-date=October 16, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131016094615/http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=126912 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |title=Area GOP candidates strike out in 5 races |work=The Boston Globe |date=November 7, 2004 |author=Laidler, John}} In January 2005, she was unanimously elected chairwoman of the Melrose School Committee.{{cite news |title=Melrose: New leader for school board |author=Cole, Caroline Louise |date=January 9, 2005 |work=The Boston Globe}} In 2006, she ran for the 32nd Middlesex seat in the Massachusetts House of Representatives when incumbent Mike Festa began a run for Middlesex district attorney but withdrew after he dropped out of the race.{{cite news |title=Melrose: Clark withdraws from race |author=Cole, Caroline Louise |date=March 16, 2006 |work=The Boston Globe}}

Clark was appointed co-chair of Victory 2006, the state Democratic Party's campaign and fundraising effort for the 2006 gubernatorial election.{{cite news |title=Political Notebook: On the move to boost party |author=Laidler, John |date=October 8, 2006 |work=The Boston Globe}} She spent some time as chief of policy and government relations in the Massachusetts Attorney General's office.{{cite news |title=Primaries over, final races begin |date=February 10, 2008 |author=Laidler, John |work=The Boston Globe}}

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Festa resigned his state House seat in October 2007 to become secretary of elder affairs in the Deval Patrick administration, and Clark entered the special election to succeed him. During the campaign, she emphasized her experience as an attorney and made "developing stability in state aid" her top policy issue. She won the Democratic primary in January with 65% of the vote, defeating two other Melrose Democrats.{{cite web |url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=402026 |title=MA State House – Thirty-Second Middlesex – Special Election – D Primary Race – Feb 05, 2008 |publisher=Our Campaigns |access-date=October 16, 2013 |archive-date=October 16, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131016094702/http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=402026 |url-status=live }} She defeated Republican real estate businessman Mark B. Hutchison, 63% to 37%.{{cite web |url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=402027 |title=Our Campaigns – MA State House – Thirty-Second Middlesex – Special Election Race – Mar 04, 2008 |publisher=Our Campaigns |access-date=October 16, 2013 |archive-date=October 16, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131016095642/http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=402027 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |title=Newly elected are ready: Two special votes fill House seats |author=Laidler, John |work=The Boston Globe |date=March 9, 2008}} In November 2008, she was reelected to a full term unopposed.{{cite web |url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=502677 |title=Our Campaigns – MA State House – Thirty-Second Middlesex Race – Nov 04, 2008 |publisher=Our Campaigns |access-date=October 16, 2013 |archive-date=October 16, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131016095143/http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=502677 |url-status=live }}

Sworn in on March 13, 2008,{{cite news |url=http://www.mass.gov/legis/journal/hj031308.pdf |title=Journal of the House |date=March 13, 2008 |publisher=Massachusetts House of Representatives |pages=1154–1155 |access-date=January 20, 2014 |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304064450/http://www.mass.gov/legis/journal/hj031308.pdf |url-status=live }} Clark represented Melrose and Wakefield. She served on both the education, judiciary, and municipalities and the regional government committees.{{cite web |url=http://ballotpedia.org/wiki/index.php/Katherine_Clark |title=Katherine Clark |work=Ballotpedia |access-date=October 19, 2013 |archive-date=March 21, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090321052336/http://ballotpedia.org/wiki/index.php/Katherine_Clark |url-status=live }}

When Tisei resigned from the state senate to run for lieutenant governor of Massachusetts, Clark ran for his seat. In the Democratic primary, she defeated Stoneham attorney Michael S. Day, 64%–36%.{{cite web |url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=679282 |title=Race Details |publisher=Our Campaigns |access-date=October 16, 2013 |archive-date=October 16, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131016095056/http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=679282 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |title=Melrose Primary: Clark wins Senate; Lucas takes GOP nomination in House race |url=http://www.wickedlocal.com/melrose/news/x1470550142/MELROSE-2010-PRIMARY-ELECTION-RESULTS-Clark-wins-Senate-primary-Lucas-takes-GOP-nomination-in-House-race#ixzz2XywyqLZl |work=Melrose Free Press |date=September 15, 2010 |access-date=July 3, 2013 |archive-date=October 20, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131020204148/http://www.wickedlocal.com/melrose/news/x1470550142/MELROSE-2010-PRIMARY-ELECTION-RESULTS-Clark-wins-Senate-primary-Lucas-takes-GOP-nomination-in-House-race#ixzz2XywyqLZl |url-status=live }} In the November 2010 general election, she defeated Republican Craig Spadafora, 52%–48%.{{cite web |url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=707456 |title=Our Campaigns – MA State Senate – Middlesex & Essex Race – Nov 02, 2010 |publisher=Our Campaigns |access-date=October 16, 2013 |archive-date=October 16, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131016095350/http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=707456 |url-status=live }}

Clark was sworn in on January 5, 2011.{{cite news |url=http://www.mass.gov/legis/journal/187/sj010511.htm |title=Journal of the Senate |date=January 5, 2011 |publisher=Massachusetts Senate |access-date=January 20, 2014 |archive-date=February 1, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140201095256/http://www.mass.gov/legis/journal/187/sj010511.htm |url-status=live }} She supports abortion rights and has been endorsed in her campaigns by NARAL Pro-Choice Massachusetts and the Planned Parenthood Advocacy Fund."[http://www.prochoicemass.org/media/press/20100826.shtml NARAL Pro-Choice Massachusetts releases voters guide] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131018014759/http://www.prochoicemass.org/media/press/20100826.shtml |date=October 18, 2013 }}". NARAL Pro-Choice Massachusetts. August 26, 2010.{{citation |title=The Pro-Choice Voters Guide |publisher=NARAL Pro-Choice Massachusetts |date=Fall 2012}}{{citation |title=We're Proud to Congratulate Our Endorsed Candidates |publisher=Planned Parenthood Advocacy Fund of Massachusetts, Inc. }}

In 2011, Clark was co-chair of the Joint Committee on Public Service, where she was lead author of the Senate version of a bill to reform municipal pensions.{{cite news |title=Unions soften tone on health: Put positive spin on Senate plan; Bill aims to cut municipal costs |author=Bierman, Noah |work=The Boston Globe |date=May 25, 2011}}{{cite news |url=http://www.mass.gov/governor/pressoffice/pressreleases/2011/111118-pension-reform-signed.html |title=Governor Patrick Signs Pension Reform Legislation |date=November 18, 2011 |publisher=Office of the Governor of Massachusetts (press release) |access-date=July 3, 2013 |archive-date=July 2, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130702150912/http://www.mass.gov/governor/pressoffice/pressreleases/2011/111118-pension-reform-signed.html |url-status=live }} For her work in 2011, she received legislator of the year awards from the Massachusetts Municipal Association and the Massachusetts Police Association.{{cite news |url=http://www.mma.org/about-mma-mainmenu-62/mma-news/6243-mma-honors-9-legislators-of-year |title=MA honors 9 Legislators of Year |publisher=The Massachusetts Municipal Association |date=January 25, 2012 |access-date=September 18, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921060727/http://www.mma.org/about-mma-mainmenu-62/mma-news/6243-mma-honors-9-legislators-of-year |archive-date=September 21, 2013 |url-status=dead }}{{cite news |work=Wakefield Patch |author=Laforme, William |date=November 2, 2012 |url=http://wakefield.patch.com/groups/politics-and-elections/p/clark-is-ma-police-associations-legislator-of-the-year |title=Clark is MA Police Association's Legislator of the Year |access-date=September 18, 2013 |archive-date=September 21, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921054525/http://wakefield.patch.com/groups/politics-and-elections/p/clark-is-ma-police-associations-legislator-of-the-year |url-status=live }} In 2012, she authored a law that takes steps to ensure that all Massachusetts students read at grade level by third grade.{{cite news |title=Governor Patrick signs legislation to help close achievement gaps in reading and get all students to proficiency by Grade 3 |publisher=Office of the Governor of Massachusetts (press release) |date=September 26, 2012}} Also in 2012, her bill extending restraining orders in domestic violence cases to cover victims' pets, which are often used as pawns in abusive relationships, was signed as part of a larger law on animal shelters.{{cite news |title=Pets and Domestic Violence |publisher=MSPCA-Angell (Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals-Angell Animal Medical Center) }}{{cite news |work=MetroWest Daily News |author=O'Connell, Joe |date=August 3, 2012 |url=http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/news/x1602167167/Patrick-signs-animal-control-reform-bill-in-Ashland |title=Patrick signs animal control reform bill in Ashland |access-date=September 18, 2013 |archive-date=September 21, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921060724/http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/news/x1602167167/Patrick-signs-animal-control-reform-bill-in-Ashland |url-status=live }} In 2013, she co-sponsored a bill expanding the state's wiretapping authority, which was strictly limited under existing law, in order to help police better investigate violent street crime.{{cite news |title=Bill seeks end to strict limit on targets of wiretap law |author=Andersen, Travis |work=The Boston Globe |date= January 28, 2013}} At the same time, she co-sponsored a bill to secure electronic privacy protections, requiring police to have probable cause before investigating the electronic records of individuals.{{cite news |url=https://malegislature.gov/Bills/188/Senate/S796 |title=An Act updating privacy protections for personal electronic information |publisher=The 188th General Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts |access-date=September 18, 2013 |archive-date=September 21, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921061454/https://malegislature.gov/Bills/188/Senate/S796 |url-status=live }} She filed another bill tightening sex offender laws, imposing stricter penalties and making offender data more accessible to agencies and the public.{{cite news |title=More info on Level 1 offenders urged |work=Boston Herald |date=May 8, 2013 |author=Smith, Erin}}{{cite news |title=Bill tightens law on sex offenders: Would give public more data |author=McKim, Jenifer B. |work=The Boston Globe |date=January 24, 2013}} The Women's Bar Association of Massachusetts named Clark its 2013 Legislator of the Year for her service on women's issues.{{cite news |url=http://www.womensbar.org/content.aspx?page_id=5&club_id=808000&item_id=22376 |title=WBA Holds Annual Meeting and Newly Admitted Lawyers Reception |publisher=Women's Bar Association of Massachusetts |date=March 21, 2013 |access-date=September 18, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921054529/http://www.womensbar.org/content.aspx?page_id=5&club_id=808000&item_id=22376 |archive-date=September 21, 2013 |url-status=dead }}

Clark's committee assignments in the state Senate were as follows:

• Judiciary (Chair)
• Mental Health and Substance Abuse (Vice Chair)
• Post Audit and Oversight (Vice Chair)
• Public Health
• Public Safety and Homeland Security
• Steering and Policy (Chair){{cite web |url=https://malegislature.gov/People/Profile/KMC0 |title=Member Profile: Katherine Clark |publisher=Massachusetts General Court |access-date=July 3, 2013 |archive-date=March 22, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130322045221/http://www.malegislature.gov/people/profile/kmc0 |url-status=live }}

{{Further|2013 Massachusetts's 5th congressional district special election}}

Clark was the Democratic nominee in the 2013 special election for the U.S. House of Representatives in {{ushr|MA|5}}. The district's longtime incumbent, Ed Markey, had just been elected to the United States Senate six months into his 19th term. In a heavily contested Democratic primary—the real contest in this heavily Democratic district—she was endorsed by Massachusetts attorney general Martha Coakley{{cite news |work=The Boston Globe |author=Miller, Joshua |date=July 18, 2013 |title=Coakley backs Katherine Clark in bid for Markey's seat |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2013/07/18/coakley-backing-katherine-clark-race-for-markey-seat/yWbLaKXNsmG8QixQ2egsmN/story.html |access-date=June 21, 2017 |archive-date=August 3, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170803085813/https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2013/07/18/coakley-backing-katherine-clark-race-for-markey-seat/yWbLaKXNsmG8QixQ2egsmN/story.html |url-status=live }} and EMILY's List.{{cite news |url=http://emilyslist.org/news/releases/emilys-list-endorses-katherine-clark-for-congress |title=EMILY's List Endorses Katherine Clark for Congress |publisher=EMILY's List |date=September 20, 2013 |access-date=September 20, 2013 |archive-date=September 21, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921055906/http://emilyslist.org/news/releases/emilys-list-endorses-katherine-clark-for-congress |url-status=live }} On October 15, 2013, she won the primary with a plurality of 32% of the vote. Her closest competitor was Middlesex County Sheriff Peter Koutoujian, with 22% of the vote.{{cite news |url=http://www.boston.com/politicalintelligence/2013/10/15/katherine-clark-frank-addivinola-win-primaries-race-replace-markey-house/lTQewzFeSERI1x70udBbFM/story.html |title=Katherine Clark, Frank Addivinola win primaries in race to replace Ed Markey in US House |date=October 17, 2013 |work=The Boston Globe |author=Miller, Joshua |access-date=October 16, 2013 |archive-date=October 16, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131016082634/http://www.boston.com/politicalintelligence/2013/10/15/katherine-clark-frank-addivinola-win-primaries-race-replace-markey-house/lTQewzFeSERI1x70udBbFM/story.html |url-status=live }}{{cite news |url=http://www.politico.com/story/2013/10/massachusetts-special-primary-election-katherine-clark-98376.html |work=Politico |date=October 15, 2013 |title=Katherine Clark wins Massachusetts special primary |author=Schultheis, Emily |access-date=October 16, 2013 |archive-date=October 16, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131016161636/http://www.politico.com/story/2013/10/massachusetts-special-primary-election-katherine-clark-98376.html |url-status=live }} On December 10, as expected, she easily won the special election.{{cite news |url=http://www.wbur.org/2013/02/22/mass-lawmakers-eyeing-markey |agency=Associated Press |date= February 22, 2013 |work=WBUR News |title= Some Mass. Lawmakers Already Eyeing Markey Seat |access-date= February 23, 2013 |archive-date= February 25, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130225032409/http://www.wbur.org/2013/02/22/mass-lawmakers-eyeing-markey |url-status= live }}

{{Main|2014 United States House of Representatives elections in Massachusetts#District 5}}

Clark ran for reelection and was unopposed in the general election.{{Cite web |title=PD43+ » 2014 U.S. House General Election 5th Congressional District |url=https://electionstats.state.ma.us/elections/view/126138 |access-date=2025-03-14 |website=PD43+ |language=en-US}}

{{Main|2016 United States House of Representatives elections in Massachusetts#District 5}}

Clark ran for a third term and was unopposed in the general election.{{Cite web |title=PD43+ » 2016 U.S. House General Election 5th Congressional District |url=https://electionstats.state.ma.us/elections/view/130286/ |access-date=2025-03-14 |website=PD43+ |language=en-US}}

{{Main|2018 United States House of Representatives elections in Massachusetts#District 5}}

Clark ran for a fourth term and defeated Republican John Hugo in the general election, winning 75.9% of the vote.{{Cite web |title=PD43+ » 2018 U.S. House General Election 5th Congressional District |url=https://electionstats.state.ma.us/elections/view/131551/ |access-date=2025-03-14 |website=PD43+ |language=en-US}}

{{Main|2020 United States House of Representatives elections in Massachusetts#District 5}}

Clark ran for a fifth term and defeated Republican Caroline Colarusso in the general election, winning 74.3% of the vote.{{Cite news |date=2020-11-03 |title=Massachusetts Election Results: Fifth Congressional District (Published 2020) |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/11/03/us/elections/results-massachusetts-house-district-5.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250304225510/https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/11/03/us/elections/results-massachusetts-house-district-5.html |archive-date=March 4, 2025 |access-date=2025-03-14 |language=en |url-status=live }}

{{Main|2022 United States House of Representatives elections in Massachusetts#District 5}}

Clark ran for a sixth term and defeated Republican Caroline Colarusso for a second time in the general election, this time winning 74% of the vote.{{Cite web |title=PD43+ » Search Elections |url=https://electionstats.state.ma.us/elections/search/year_from:2022/year_to:2022/stage:General |access-date=2025-03-14 |website=PD43+ |language=en-US}}

{{Main|2024 United States House of Representatives elections in Massachusetts#District 5}}

Clark ran unopposed, winning a seventh term in the U.S. House of Representatives.{{Cite web |title=PD43+ » Search Elections |url=https://electionstats.state.ma.us/elections/search/year_from:2024/year_to:2024/stage:General |access-date=2025-03-14 |website=PD43+ |language=en-US}}

File:Katherine Clark, official portrait, 116th Congress.jpg]]

Clark was sworn into office on December 12, 2013, and sits on the House Appropriations Committee.{{cite web |url=http://clerk.house.gov/committee_info/oal.aspx |title=Committee Information |publisher=United States House of Representatives |access-date=January 30, 2014 |archive-date=May 9, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150509130919/http://clerk.house.gov/committee_info/oal.aspx |url-status=live }} In a 2014 interview with The Boston Globe, she compared life in Washington to the television series House of Cards, saying "It's exactly like here, minus the murders."{{cite news |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/news/nation/2014/06/26/katherine-clark-making-connections-across-aisle-and-getting-things-done/be3oTWomsAEv5MIgZCHCSN/story.html |title=Clark on making connections across the aisle |author=Jan, Tracy |date=June 26, 2014 |work=The Boston Globe |access-date=June 21, 2017 |archive-date=August 3, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170803085448/https://www.bostonglobe.com/news/nation/2014/06/26/katherine-clark-making-connections-across-aisle-and-getting-things-done/be3oTWomsAEv5MIgZCHCSN/story.html |url-status=live }}

Clark was unopposed in her bid for a full term in 2014.

In March 2015, Clark decided not to attend the speech by Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu before a joint session of Congress. She affirmed a commitment to maintaining and strengthening the relationship between the U.S. and Israel but noted that the invitation was offered without first consulting the Obama administration.{{cite news |last=Randall |first=Eric |url=http://www.bostonmagazine.com/news/blog/2015/03/03/massachusetts-delegates-sat-netanyahu-speech-congress/ |title=Which Massachusetts Delegates Sat Out the Netanyahu Speech in Congress? |work=Boston |publisher=Metrocorp, Inc. |date=March 3, 2015 |access-date=March 13, 2015 |archive-date=March 5, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150305203919/http://www.bostonmagazine.com/news/blog/2015/03/03/massachusetts-delegates-sat-netanyahu-speech-congress/ |url-status=live }} In 2023, Clark voted to provide Israel with support following the Hamas attack on Israel.{{Cite news |last=Demirjian |first=Karoun |date=October 25, 2023 |title=House Declares Solidarity With Israel in First Legislation Under New Speaker |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/25/us/politics/house-israel-vote.html |access-date=October 30, 2023 |issn=0362-4331}}{{Cite web |last1=Washington |first1=U. S. Capitol Room H154 |last2=p:225-7000 |first2=DC 20515-6601 |date=October 25, 2023 |title=Roll Call 528 Roll Call 528, Bill Number: H. Res. 771, 118th Congress, 1st Session |url=https://clerk.house.gov/Votes/2023528 |access-date=October 30, 2023 |website=Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives |language=en}}

Clark has introduced legislation in response to Internet harassment, most notably resulting from the Gamergate controversy, and has advocated for more stringent enforcement of existing laws.{{cite news|url=https://thehill.com/opinion/op-ed/235070-sexism-in-cyberspace/|title=Sexism in Cyberspace|author=Clark, Katherine|work=The Hill|date=March 10, 2015|access-date=April 21, 2015|archive-date=August 23, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180823205102/http://thehill.com/opinion/op-ed/235070-sexism-in-cyberspace|url-status=live}} After introducing legislation that would criminalize "swatting" (falsely reporting an ongoing critical incident to dispatch an emergency response), she was herself targeted by a false report of an active shooter at her home.Joshua Miller. [https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2016/02/01/cops-swarm-rep-katherine-clark-melrose-home-after-apparent-hoax/yqEpcpWmKtN6bOOAj8FZXJ/story.html Police swarm Katherine Clark’s home after apparent hoax] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180806235910/https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2016/02/01/cops-swarm-rep-katherine-clark-melrose-home-after-apparent-hoax/yqEpcpWmKtN6bOOAj8FZXJ/story.html |date=August 6, 2018 }}. Boston Globe, February 1, 2016.Tim Murphy. [https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2015/03/katherine-clark-gamergate-brianna-wu This Democratic Congresswoman Wants the FBI to Take on Gamergate] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190417032511/https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2015/03/katherine-clark-gamergate-brianna-wu/ |date=April 17, 2019 }}. Mother Jones, March 12, 2015.

In January 2017, Clark announced a boycott of Donald Trump's inauguration. She was part of a small group of House and Senate members who chose to boycott the ceremony. Her reason was her desire not to "normalize" Trump's promotion of "bigoted, misogynist, anti-Semitic, and racist claims."{{cite news |last=Herndon |first=Astead W. |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/news/politics/2017/01/05/representative-katherine-clark-massachusetts-skip-inauguration-protest-donald-trump/s46w5D8bydIXvOGgFIzcXO/story.html |title=Katherine Clark to skip Trump's inauguration in protest |work=The Boston Globe |date=January 5, 2017 |access-date=January 6, 2017 |archive-date=June 30, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170630052420/https://www.bostonglobe.com/news/politics/2017/01/05/representative-katherine-clark-massachusetts-skip-inauguration-protest-donald-trump/s46w5D8bydIXvOGgFIzcXO/story.html |url-status=live }}

Clark votes with President Joe Biden's stated position 100% of the time, according to FiveThirtyEight analysis completed in January 2023.{{Cite web |last1=Bycoffe |first1=Aaron |last2=Wiederkehr |first2=Anna |date=April 22, 2021 |title=Does Your Member Of Congress Vote With Or Against Biden? |url=https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/biden-congress-votes/house/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210423141050/https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/biden-congress-votes/house/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=April 23, 2021 |access-date=November 15, 2023 |website=FiveThirtyEight |language=en}}

On November 28, 2018, it was announced that Clark had defeated California congressman Pete Aguilar to succeed Linda Sánchez as vice chair of the House Democratic Caucus.{{cite web|last=March|first=Mary Tyler|date=November 28, 2018|title=Clark wins spot as Dem Caucus vice chair|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/house/418836-clark-wins-spot-as-dem-caucus-vice-chair/|access-date=November 18, 2020|website=The Hill|archive-date=November 26, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201126192358/https://thehill.com/homenews/house/418836-clark-wins-spot-as-dem-caucus-vice-chair|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=Katherine Clark elected to leadership post – The Boston Globe|url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2018/11/28/katherine-clark-elected-leadership-post/s0r4bKfw6e0EO1i8CO6kCN/story.html|access-date=November 18, 2020|website=BostonGlobe.com|archive-date=November 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112022200/https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2018/11/28/katherine-clark-elected-leadership-post/s0r4bKfw6e0EO1i8CO6kCN/story.html|url-status=live}}

On November 18, 2020, it was announced that Clark had defeated Rhode Island congressman David Cicilline by a vote of 135 to 92 to succeed Ben Ray Luján as assistant speaker, the number four spot in Democratic house leadership.{{Cite web|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/house/526507-katherine-clark-secures-no-4-leadership-spot-for-house-democrats/|title=Katherine Clark secures No. 4 leadership spot for House Democrats|first=Mike Lillis and Scott|last=Wong|date=November 18, 2020}}

File:Secretary Blinken and Representative Clark (July 11, 2024).jpg in July 2024]]

In 2021 Clark was mentioned as a possible candidate to succeed Pelosi as Speaker of the House.{{cite news |last1=Mucha |first1=Sarah |title=Katherine Clark's ascent as prime candidate for next Speaker |url=https://www.axios.com/katherine-clark-speaker-house-559b6389-8256-4a18-97e4-91a4fec67602.html |access-date=July 17, 2021 |work=Axios |date=July 15, 2021 |language=en |archive-date=July 15, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210715200758/https://www.axios.com/katherine-clark-speaker-house-559b6389-8256-4a18-97e4-91a4fec67602.html |url-status=live }} But after Pelosi, Steny Hoyer, and Jim Clyburn announced their retirement from party leadership in November 2022, Clark instead announced a bid for party whip, the second-highest-ranking individual in the minority party.{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/live/2022/11/18/us/election-news-results/a-younger-group-of-house-democrats-is-expected-to-ascend?smid=url-share | title=A younger group of House Democrats is expected to ascend | work=The New York Times | date=November 18, 2022 | last1=Shpigel | first1=Ben }} After running unopposed, Clark was elected as the minority whip on November 30, 2022.{{Cite web |last=Diaz |first=Daniella |date=November 30, 2022 |title=House Democrats pick Hakeem Jeffries to succeed Nancy Pelosi, the first Black lawmaker to lead a party in Congress {{!}} CNN Politics |url=https://www.cnn.com/2022/11/30/politics/house-democratic-leadership-vote/index.html |access-date=November 30, 2022 |website=CNN|language=en}}{{Cite news |last=Hughes |first=Eliza Collins and Siobhan |title=Hakeem Jeffries Elected to Lead House Democrats |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/house-democrats-set-to-pick-hakeem-jeffries-to-lead-party-11669806001 |access-date=November 30, 2022 |newspaper=The Wall Street Journal |date=November 30, 2022 |language=en-US}}

• Committee on Appropriations
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Clark is married to Rodney S. Dowell, executive director for the Massachusetts Board of Bar Overseers, the state entity that regulates the legal profession in Massachusetts.{{cite web |url=https://masslawyersweekly.com/2020/03/06/bbo-names-new-chief-bar-counsel/ |title=BBO names new chief bar counsel |date=March 6, 2020 |publisher=Massachusetts Lawyer's Weekly (official website) |access-date=March 9, 2020 |archive-date=April 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200412194023/https://masslawyersweekly.com/2020/03/06/bbo-names-new-chief-bar-counsel/ |url-status=live }} They live in Revere and have three children. In January 2023, Clark confirmed that her adult daughter was arrested for assault by means of a dangerous weapon and damage to property by graffiti/tagging Boston Common's Parkman Bandstand with the words "NO COP CITY" and "ACAB".{{Cite web |date=January 23, 2023 |title=Rep. Katherine Clark's daughter is charged in police assault |url=https://apnews.com/article/law-enforcement-katherine-clark-boston-976f389a3a659b9b7d829ee661ae9694 |access-date=January 23, 2023 |website=AP News |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=January 23, 2023 |title=Daughter of House Minority Whip Katherine Clark facing charges of assaulting officer in Boston |url=https://www.boston25news.com/news/local/daughter-house-minority-whip-katherine-clark-facing-charges-assaulting-officer-boston/X55JJEIDF5E2BGN6ZYMMELR5BE/ |access-date=January 23, 2023 |website=Boston 25 News |language=en}}{{cite news |last1=Andersen |first1=Travis |last2=Alanez |first2=Tonya |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/2023/01/23/metro/riley-dowell-daughter-rep-katherine-clark-due-court-connection-with-alleged-assault-vandalism-during-protest/ |title=Riley Dowell, daughter of Representative Katherine Clark, arraigned for allegedly striking police officer during Boston Common protest |work=The Boston Globe |date=January 23, 2023 |accessdate=January 23, 2023 }} In May 2023, Riley Dowell was sentenced to one year of probation, and was ordered to write a letter of apology to the police officer.[https://www.yahoo.com/news/top-democrats-transgender-daughter-sentenced-003255522.html Top Democrat's transgender daughter sentenced to probation for assaulting police officer], Fox News via Yahoo, May 3, 2023

When Congress is in session, Clark rooms with Representatives Annie Kuster, Grace Meng, Lois Frankel, Cheri Bustos, and Julia Brownley.{{cite news |last=Mucha |first=Sarah |url=https://www.axios.com/katherine-clark-speaker-house-559b6389-8256-4a18-97e4-91a4fec67602.html |title=Katherine Clark's friend-filled path to speaker |work=Axios |date=July 14, 2021 |access-date=July 15, 2021 |archive-date=July 15, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210715200758/https://www.axios.com/katherine-clark-speaker-house-559b6389-8256-4a18-97e4-91a4fec67602.html |url-status=live }}

• Women in the United States House of Representatives

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• [https://katherineclark.house.gov/ Congresswoman Katherine Clark] official U.S. House website
• [https://katherineclark.org/ Katherine Clark for Congress]

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Category:1963 births

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