Rep. Katherine Clark J.D. ’89 (D-Mass.) works behind the scenes in Washington. She doesn’t frequent day-to-day news headlines, eschewing cable TV in favor of forming coalitions, relationships and raising dollars for the Democratic party. It’s her secret to success, and, as she sees it, advancement towards the assistant House Speakership.

Clark is not only running for re-election to her Boston suburb seat this election cycle, she’s aiming higher. The current vice Democratic caucus chair is vying against three other Congressmembers to be Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s (D-Calif.) right-hand woman.

“I have used my current position and will use this position, if I am elected, to make sure that we are helping every member of Congress in our caucus be successful,” Clark told The Sun in a phone interview. “[It is] the meticulous work that helps Congress achieve our goals.”

The position, created by Speaker Pelosi in 2006, is the fourth highest-ranking position in the party’s House leadership, behind Majority Leader Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) and Majority Whip Rep. James Clyburn (D-S.C.). The role, which has no officially set responsibilities, is generally seen as an avenue for younger House members to attain a voice in the chamber’s administration and instill party values in new members.

Clark, dubbed the “the silent assassin” by some of her Democratic colleagues for her political tactics, said her time at Cornell Law School was key to shaping her legislative ideology and style.

“[Cornell Law School] taught me to challenge the status quo, and to not be afraid to dissent when it is necessary, something that Justice Ginsburg also modeled for us so very well,” she said. “The size of the classes, the opportunities to do clinic work, all helped me realize the power of law in people’s daily lives.”

She recounted one particular experience working for Cornell Law School’s Legal Aid Clinic that showed her how just minor misfortune can cause economic strife. A single mom had been in a car accident that, despite being minor, nevertheless placed an immense strain on her finances.

“In what seems like a small case of a car accident, where there were not serious injuries, really underscored for me, the interconnection, and how fragile people’s existence can become when you have these other economic factors at play,” she said. “It was a really a learning moment for me.”

Over the past two decades, Clark has worked her way up the political ladder. She was a school board member, prosecutor, Massachutes House Representative and Massachusetts State Senator. In 2013, she ran for the House seat vacated by Sen. Ed Markey (D-Mass.).

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Original story here.