Katherine Clark won her election to join the Democratic leadership
"I am eager to get to work on the promises we made."
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Massachusetts will have an official seat at the Democratic leadership table in the upcoming Congress.
In an election Wednesday night among House Democrats, Rep. Katherine Clark came out victorious in the her bid to become vice chair of the Democratic Caucus. According to multiple reports, Clark beat Rep. Pete Aguilar, a California congressman, by a vote of 144-90.
Welcome to our new Caucus Vice Chair, @RepKClark! pic.twitter.com/iFHAvqt0hQ
— House Democrats (@HouseDemocrats) November 29, 2018
Previously the fifth-highest-ranking post in the party’s congressional leadership ranks, the caucus vice chair is now the No. 6 post after Democrats recently created a new leadership position. Still, Clark is set to be the second-highest ranking woman in the party behind Rep. Nancy Pelosi, the likely House speaker.
In a statement Wednesday night, the 5th District congresswoman, who was recently elected to her fourth House term, said she was “incredibly grateful” for her colleagues’ support.
“As Vice Chair, I am eager to get to work on the promises we made like getting corruption out of politics, protecting Social Security and Medicare, improving access to affordable, quality healthcare, and ensuring equal pay for equal work,” the Melrose Democrat said.
On Twitter, Clark also thanked Aguilar for “his leadership, his friendship, and his commitment to our Democratic ideals.”
“I look forward to working with him in the future,” she said Wednesday night.
I want to thank @RepPeteAguilar for his leadership, his friendship, and his commitment to our Democratic ideals. I look forward to working with him in the future.
— Katherine Clark (@WhipKClark) November 29, 2018
In turn, Aguilar praised Clark and Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, who was elected Democratic Caucus chair Wednesday.
.@RepKClark will be a great leader for the Democratic Caucus. I look forward to working with her, Leader @RepJeffries and the rest of @HouseDemocrats to deliver results #ForThePeople in the 116th Congress. https://t.co/347JGjsMwe
— Rep. Pete Aguilar (@RepPeteAguilar) November 29, 2018
Clark recently told Boston.com that, as vice chair, she was hoping to ensure that the party leadership was incorporating the views and giving equal voice to the diverse, new class of House Democrats.
Rep. Linda Sanchez, the current vice chair of the Democratic caucus, also congratulated Clark on her victory Wednesday.
“She is a thoughtful leader in our Caucus and has worked tirelessly to help Democrats win back the majority in the U.S. House of Representatives,” Sanchez said in a statement. “The voices of more women at the leadership table will be essential as our Caucus works to enact our agenda to help rebuild and strengthen America’s middle class.”
The California Democrat said she would do everything she could to support the new caucus leaders.
“Under the leadership of Chairman Hakeem Jeffries and Vice Chair Katherine Clark, our Democratic Caucus will move forward, united behind our shared objective of helping working families succeed,” she said. “It has never been more important for Democrats to accomplish our goals of making health care more affordable, investing in our crumbling infrastructure, and passing comprehensive immigration reform.”
For her part, Clark said she couldn’t wait to make progress in the incoming Democrat-controlled House.
“Let’s get to work,” she wrote.
Read Clark’s full statement on her election to be vice chair below:
I am incredibly grateful for the support of my colleagues and am honored to have the opportunity to work on their behalf as the Vice Chair of the Democratic Caucus.
Earlier this month, the American people sent a clear message to Washington by electing a Democratic majority and the most diverse Congress in our nation’s history. Voters rejected the divisive rhetoric and policies that marked the 115th Congress and instead were energized by the Democrats promise of a more productive, inclusive, and fair America. Our message was simple: the Democrats are fighting for you.
Today, we took another step forward by electing a leadership team that similarly reflects the American people and their vision for our democracy. With Speaker Pelosi, Majority Leader Hoyer, Majority Whip Clyburn, Assistant Democratic Leader Lujan, Caucus Chair Jeffries, and the rest of the leadership team, House Democrats are ready to move an agenda forward that puts the needs of the American people first.
As Vice Chair, I am eager to get to work on the promises we made like getting corruption out of politics, protecting Social Security and Medicare, improving access to affordable, quality healthcare, and ensuring equal pay for equal work.
I can’t wait to see what progress we will make together on behalf of the American people. Let’s get to work!
