About Tarryl Clark
A rising star in the North Star State
State Senator Tarryl Clark has wasted no time becoming a Democratic stand-out in Minnesota, attracting statewide attention for her leadership in the Senate and Democratic-Farmer-Labor party. Clark's colleagues recognized her legislative acumen and skilled leadership, electing her assistant majority leader early in her political career. In this capacity, she has worked to create greater accountability in the state legislature, championed civil liberties and equal rights, and sought to improve health care coverage for Minnesotans. Now, Clark is running to unseat right-wing Tea Party leader Cong. Michele Bachmann, a virulently anti-choice congresswoman known more for her cable talk show appearances than her legislative work.
A deeply committed public servant
Clark was raised in a family dedicated to public service. Her father and two of her three brothers chose to serve in the Navy, and Clark also chose a path of service -- dedicating her time in office to helping veterans, protecting senior citizens, and working to providing additional funding for education. Clark is also a founding member and first director of Central Minnesota’s Habitat for Humanity. A committed advocate for women and girls, Clark helped develop a YWCA teen pregnancy prevention program and a mentorship program for young girls with her area’s Girl Scouts chapter. Clark has worked diligently to expand access to family planning, reduce unintended pregnancies, and protect women’s reproductive health.
A battle against far-right Bachmann
The opportunity to take over this seat -- and unseat Bachmann -- has made this one of country's highest profile House races. In spite of her outrageous antics -- from boycotting the 2010 census to calling President Obama "anti-America" -- Bachmann has access to a lucrative conservative fundraising network; already, she has the support of the Susan B. Anthony List and the National Rifle Association. Clark will go toe-to-toe with Bachmann for fundraising and campaigning, earning major endorsements from the Minnesota labor unions, teachers, and political leaders such as former Vice President Walter Mondale and Sen. Al Franken. But she's counting on EMILY’s List members' support to fight the tough and expensive race in this Republican-leaning district.
