Massachusetts Congresswoman Katherine Clark is set to make history as the first woman to become a majority leader in Congress, the leader of the House Democrats said Wednesday.
Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, widely expected to be elected the next speaker of the House after Democrats won big in the 2026 midterm elections, introduced Clark at a news conference as “the next majority leader of the House of Representatives” and “someone who will be the first woman to ever serve in that position in our 250-year journey.”
Clark, the current House minority whip who lives in Revere, was elected to Congress in 2013 to replace now-Sen. Ed Markey. The 63-year-old said she was proud to “make history” as part of the new majority.
“In the words of the great Dolly Parton, it’s been a long hard fight, but I see a brand new day a-dawning,” Clark said.
Clark has been outspoken about childcare issues, introducing the Babies Act in 2022 to support new mothers with more access to birth centers and midwives. She also bashed President Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill” last year, calling it “incredibly cruel” for making cuts to Medicaid and food stamps.
Clark still needs to be elected by her House colleagues to become majority leader in the new Congress. She said Wednesday that Americans are trusting her party to do more than just “damage control” on the Trump administration.
“They have entrusted a Democratic Congress to lead us forward to something better, to make their lives easier,” she said.
Clark on Thursday officially declared her intent to run for majority leader in a letter to other Democratic representatives.
“My priority will be ensuring that every corner of our Caucus is heard and empowered to have a role in the policymaking process,” Clark wrote. “At every decision point, I intend to work closely with you to understand the needs of your district and maximize your ability to deliver for your constituents.”
Steve Kerrigan, chair of the Massachusetts Democratic Party, has known Clark since she first ran to be on the Melrose School Committee back in 2001.
“It’s huge. The last time we’ve had someone at that height in House leadership was Tip O’Neill and that was decades ago,” Kerrigan said. “I am excited for the world to get to know the really incredibly special person she is and the great leader that she is.”
WBZ-TV political analyst Jon Keller said Clark as majority leader could mean millions of dollars in funding for Massachusetts.
“That’s an area where during the last two years of the Trump administration we have really been hurt by cuts and federal research grants and other funding sources,” Keller said.
Congresswoman Clark’s office did not return WBZ’s request for an interview.
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Original article HERE.
