Tarryl Clark

Clark was born in Norfolk, Virginia, where her father was serving in the United States Navy. She is the oldest of four children. She has three brothers, two of whom also went on to serve in the Navy.

While growing up, Clark was active in her school, church and community, joining Girl Scouts and 4-H. She frequently volunteered in her church, where she sang in the choir, taught Sunday school, and was one of the first female acolytes in her parish.

Clark attended Drake University and graduated with a B.A. in Sociology. She later earned a Master's Degree in Education from Arizona State University. In 1992, she graduated {{linktext|cum laude}} from the William Mitchell College of Law in St. Paul, Minnesota, and she is a licensed attorney.

In 1983, Clark developed the Young Adult Program at the Center for Youth Resources to help teenagers and young mothers develop needed skills to get jobs and raise families. Working with the Land of Lakes Girl Scouts, she developed a teen outreach program to mentor young girls. As a Program Coordinator at the YWCA, she developed and led a teen pregnancy prevention program.

In 1990, Clark was a founding member of Central Minnesota's Habitat for Humanity. She became the organization's first director, growing the volunteer base from 0 to 400. She and her husband remain active with Habitat.

As Executive Director of the Minnesota Community Action Partnership from 1998 to 2006, Clark worked with Community Action agencies and Head Start Programs across Minnesota. She traveled to towns and cities across Minnesota, talking with community leaders and volunteers about helping people through activities like Meals on Wheels, emergency shelters, and other local and regional efforts.

In 2003, after the death of DFL Associate Chair Mary McEvoy in the plane crash that also claimed the lives of Senator Paul and Sheila Wellstone, Clark was elected Associate Chair of the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party (DFL).

In December 2005, Clark won a special election to succeed outgoing Republican Senator Dave Kleis, who was elected mayor of St. Cloud.G.R. Anderson, Jr. [http://www.minnpost.com/stories/2008/05/14/1851/sen_tarryl_clark_dfls_rising_star_soaks_up_the_spotlight_at_the_capitol Sen. Tarryl Clark: DFL's rising star soaks up the spotlight at the Capitol.] Minn Post. 14 May 2008. She was reelected to a full four-year term in the 2006 general election. Clark received the highest number of votes of any candidate in any race in Senate District 15: 15,581, representing 56.3% of the vote.[http://electionresults.sos.state.mn.us/20061107/ElecRslts.asp?M=LG&LD=15 OFFICIAL RESULTS GENERAL ELECTION - NOV. 7, 2006.] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081129152819/http://electionresults.sos.state.mn.us/20061107/ElecRslts.asp?M=LG&LD=15 |date=2008-11-29 }} Minnesota Secretary of State.

Clark's district included portions of Benton, Sherburne, and Stearns counties.[http://www.leg.state.mn.us/legdb/fulldetail.asp?ID=15190 Legislator Record: Clark, Tarryl L.] Minnesota Legislators Past & Present.

In 2006, Clark was elected Senate Assistant Majority Leader by her colleagues.

Clark was a member of the Senate's Education, Higher Education, and Rules & Administration committees. She also served on the Finance subcommittees for the E-12 Education Budget and Policy Division, and for the Higher Education Budget and Policy Division, and on the Rules & Administration subcommittees for Conference Committees, and for Permanent and Joint Rules.[http://www.senate.leg.state.mn.us/members/member_bio.php?leg_id=15190 Senator Tarryl L. Clark DFL District 15.] Minnesota Senate.

{{main|2010 United States House of Representatives elections in Minnesota#District 6}}

In July 2009, Clark announced her candidacy for the 2010 Democratic nomination in Minnesota's 6th Congressional District, a seat held then by Representative Michele Bachmann. After just 22 weeks in the race, Clark reported raising more than $600,000 in 2009 from more than 5,000 individual donors.Sundquist, Betsy. [http://politicsinminnesota.com/blog/2010/01/tarryl-clark-raises-almost-300000-in-4th-quarter/ Tarryl Clark raises almost $300,000 in 4th quarter.] Politics in Minnesota. 26 January 2010.

On January 28, 2010, Clark formally launched her campaign and embarked on a 6-day "Working for You" Tour of Minnesota's 6th District.

Clark was endorsed by several high-profile elected officials, including Vice President Walter Mondale,Grow, Doug. [http://www.minnpost.com/politicalagenda/2009/09/29/12018/labor_mondale_lining_up_behind_tarryl_clark_in_bachmann_challenge Labor, Mondale lining up behind Tarryl Clark in Bachmann challenge.] Minn Post. 29 September 2009. Senator Al Franken,Black, Eric. [http://www.minnpost.com/ericblack/2009/10/29/12977/many_more_dfl_big_guns_for_tarryl_clark (Many) more DFL big guns for Tarryl Clark.] Minn Post. 29 October 2009. and Representative Jim Oberstar,Steller, Chris. [http://minnesotaindependent.com/51008/oberstar-makes-his-voice-heard-endorsing-clark-to-beat-bachmann Oberstar makes his voice heard, endorsing Clark to beat Bachmann.] The Minnesota Independent. 2 December 2009. as well as former 6th District candidates Patty WetterlingDemko, Paul. [http://minnesotaindependent.com/45986/bachmann-clark-mondale-wetterling Bachmann tries to make bank, Mondale and Wetterling pen appeals for Clark.] The Minnesota Independent. 29 September 2009. and El Tinklenberg.Grippen, Jacob. [http://www.mnprogressiveproject.com/diary/5188/el-tinklenberg-endorses-tarryl-clark EL Tinklenberg Endorses Tarryl Clark.] Minnesota Progressive Project. 4 February 2010. Democratic Representatives Keith Ellison and Collin Peterson contributed to Clark's campaign.Doyle, Pat. [http://www.startribune.com/politics/state/64460612.html?elr=KArksUUUoDEy3LGDiO7aiU Bachmann's DFL rivals tiptoe in a tricky race.] Star Tribune. 15 October 2009.

Clark received the Democratic-Farmer-Labor (DFL) endorsement in March 2010. She was also endorsed by nearly every prominent union in the state, including Minnesota AFL-CIO,[http://www.tarrylclark.com/endorsement-minnesota-afl-cio Minnesota AFL-CIO endorses State Sen. Tarryl Clark for Congress.] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101001035200/http://tarrylclark.com/endorsement-minnesota-afl-cio |date=2010-10-01 }} Tarryl Clark for Congress. Education Minnesota,[http://www.tarrylclark.com/node/104 Teachers endorse Tarryl for Congress.] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101001034214/http://tarrylclark.com/node/104 |date=2010-10-01 }} Tarryl Clark for Congress. Teamsters Joint Council 32,[http://www.tarrylclark.com/node/64 Teamsters Joint Council 32 Endorses Tarryl Clark for US Congress.] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101001035955/http://tarrylclark.com/node/64 |date=2010-10-01 }} Tarryl Clark for Congress. AFSCME Council 5,[http://www.tarrylclark.com/endorsement-afscme AFSCME Endorses Tarryl Clark for Congress.] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101001035230/http://tarrylclark.com/endorsement-afscme |date=2010-10-01 }} Tarryl Clark for Congress. AFSCME Council 65,[http://www.tarrylclark.com/endorsement-afscme-65 AFSCME Council 65 endorses Clark.] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101001035929/http://tarrylclark.com/endorsement-afscme-65 |date=2010-10-01 }} Tarryl Clark for Congress. North Central States Regional Council of Carpenters,[http://www.tarrylclark.com/endorsement-carpenters Carpenters endorse Tarryl Clark for Congress.] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101001035917/http://tarrylclark.com/endorsement-carpenters |date=2010-10-01 }} Tarryl Clark for Congress. UNITE HERE Minnesota,[http://www.tarrylclark.com/endorsement-unite-here United Here Endorses Tarryl Clark for Congress.] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101001035906/http://tarrylclark.com/endorsement-unite-here |date=2010-10-01 }} Tarryl Clark for Congress. Laborers District Council of Minnesota and North Dakota,[http://www.tarrylclark.com/endorsement-laborers Laborers Endorse Tarryl Clark for Congress.] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101001035219/http://tarrylclark.com/endorsement-laborers |date=2010-10-01 }} Tarryl Clark for Congress. SEIU Minnesota State Council,[http://www.tarrylclark.com/endorsement-seiu-minnesota SEIU Minnesota State Council Endorses Clark for Congress.] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101001035140/http://tarrylclark.com/endorsement-seiu-minnesota |date=2010-10-01 }} Tarryl Clark for Congress. Minnesota Nurses Association,[http://www.tarrylclark.com/node/41 Minnesota Nurses Association endorses Clark for Congress.] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101001035058/http://tarrylclark.com/node/41 |date=2010-10-01 }} Tarryl Clark for Congress. International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) Local 49,[http://www.tarrylclark.com/node/65 Operating Engineers Local 49 Endorses Tarryl Clark for Congress.] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101001035025/http://tarrylclark.com/node/65 |date=2010-10-01 }} Tarryl Clark for Congress. Take Action Minnesota,[http://www.mnprogressiveproject.com/diary/5143/tarryl-clark-endorsed-by-take-action-minnesota Tarryl Clark endorsed by Take Action Minnesota.] MN Progressive Project. and the Saint Cloud State College Democrats.Demko, Paul. [http://minnesotaindependent.com/41005/scsu-dems-endorse-clark SCSU Dems endorse Clark.] The Minnesota Independent. 4 August 2009. Clark was also endorsed by EMILY's List,Black, Eric. [http://www.minnpost.com/ericblack/2010/01/05/14686/emilys_list_endorses_tarryl_clark_in_race_against_bachmann EMILY's List endorses Tarryl Clark in race against Bachmann.] Minn Post. 5 January 2010. womenwinning,[http://www.womenwinning.org/Supported_US_HofR State Senator Tarryl Clark for US House of Representatives (District 6).] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101127061247/http://www.womenwinning.org/Supported_US_HofR |date=2010-11-27 }} Minnesota Women's Campaign Fund. and the Women's Campaign Forum.[http://www.wcfonline.org/sites/wcf/index.php/sn/2010_federal_endorsed_candidates Federal Endorsed Candidates - 2010: Minnesota State Senator Tarryl Clark.] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100523071942/http://www.wcfonline.org/sites/wcf/index.php/sn/2010_federal_endorsed_candidates |date=2010-05-23 }} Women's Campaign Forum. In July 2010, the Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association endorsed Clark over Bachmann. A spokesman for the organization said that its board of directors was "conservative in nature" but had endorsed Clark because of her "clear record of supporting our profession."{{Cite news| last = Hoppin| first = Jason | title = Law enforcement group backs Clark| newspaper = St. Paul Pioneer Press| location = St. Paul, Minnesota| publisher = MediaNews Group| date = July 26, 2010| url = http://www.twincities.com/ci_15609345?nclick_check=1| accessdate = 2010-07-29}} She also received the endorsement of the St. Cloud Times newspaper.{{Cite news | title = Our View: Bachmann isn't serving district's best interests | newspaper = St. Cloud Times | location = St. Cloud, Minnesota | date = October 17, 2010| url = http://www.sctimes.com/article/20101017/OPINION/110170031/1006/Our-View--Bachmann-isn-t-serving-district-s-best-interests| accessdate =2010-10-19 }}

Clark was defeated by Bachmann 52% to 38%.{{cite web|title=Results from Congressional District 06|url=http://electionresults.sos.state.mn.us/20101102/ElecRslts.asp?M=CG&CD=06|publisher=Minnesota Secretary of State|accessdate=6 January 2011|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20101106003232/http://electionresults.sos.state.mn.us/20101102/ElecRslts.asp?M=CG&CD=06|archivedate=6 November 2010}}

On May 8, 2011, Clark announced that she was seeking the DFL nomination for Minnesota's 8th district in 2012. The seat was then held by Chip Cravaack, who defeated Jim Oberstar in 2010.{{cite news|last=Starkey|first=Melody|title=Clark Will Run Again for House in Different District |url=http://www.rollcall.com/news/clark_will_run_again_for_house_in_different_district-205430-1.html|newspaper=Roll Call|date=May 8, 2011|accessdate=12 January 2013}} On August 14, 2012, Clark lost the primary election to Rick Nolan.{{cite news|last=Collins|first=John|title=Nolan wins in 8th; Quist wins in 1st|url=http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2012/08/14/politics/primary-election-results|accessdate=12 January 2013|newspaper=Minnesota Public Radio News|date=15 August 2012}}

2018 Stearns County Commissioner campaign

On November 6, 2018, Clark won election to the Stearns County board of commissioners representing the first district.{{Cite web|last=Baker|first=Clairissa|title=In close race, Clark elected Stearns County commissioner in District 1|url=https://www.sctimes.com/story/news/local/2018/11/07/results-tarryl-clark-elected-stearns-county-district-one-commissioner/1897656002/|access-date=2022-02-17|website=St. Cloud Times|language=en-US}}{{Cite web|title=First District {{!}} Stearns County, MN - Official Website|url=https://www.stearnscountymn.gov/948/First-District|access-date=2022-02-17|website=www.stearnscountymn.gov}}

In February 2010, Clark was recognized by the St. Cloud Times as one of the area's "10 most influential people of the decade."Aeikens, Dave. St. Cloud's most influential people Here's who you chose. St. Cloud Times. 14 February 2010.

In 2009, Clark received two awards for her legislation achievements: the Legislator of Distinction award for supporting city-friendly legislation by the League of Minnesota Cities; and the Legislator of the Year by the Minnesota Association of Professional Employees.

In 2008, Clark was honored by Central Minnesota Habitat for Humanity for her contribution to Women Build 2008.[http://www.emilyslist.org/news/releases/2010_clark_mn6_endorsement/ EMILY's List Endorses Tarryl Clark in Minnesota's 6th Congressional District.] EMILY's List. 5 January 2010.

Clark and her husband, Doug, have two sons, Colin and Nathan.[http://www.votesmart.org/bio.php?can_id=54674 Senator Tarryl Clark (MN).] Project Vote Smart. They have lived in St. Cloud for over 20 years. She attends St. John's Church in St. Cloud and is an active member of the St. Cloud Rotary.

{{Reflist|2}}

• [http://www.senate.leg.state.mn.us/members/member_bio.php?leg_id=15190 Senator Tarryl Clark] official state legislature site

{{MN-legdb|15190}}

• [http://www.tarrylclark.com// Tarryl Clark for Congress] official campaign site
• {{CongLinks | congbio= | votesmart=54674 | fec=H0MN06127 | congress= }}
• [http://www.opensecrets.org/races/summary.php?id=MN06&cycle=2010 Campaign contributions] at OpenSecrets.org
• [http://minnesota.publicradio.org/projects/ongoing/votetracker/legislator_view.php?id=216 Voting record] at Minnesota Public Radio Votetracker

{{DEFAULTSORT:Clark, Tarryl}}

Category:1961 births

Category:Living people

Category:Democratic Party Minnesota state senators

Category:William Mitchell College of Law alumni

Category:Minnesota lawyers

Category:People from Stearns County, Minnesota

Category:Politicians from Norfolk, Virginia

Category:Politicians from St. Cloud, Minnesota

Category:Women state legislators in Minnesota

Category:21st-century American women politicians

Category:21st-century members of the Minnesota Legislature