Democrat · New York's 9th District · 2026
Yvette Clarke
Clarke still lives in her childhood home in Flatbush.
Biography
Yvette Clarke still lives in her childhood home in Flatbush, according to her campaign biography.1 Her parents immigrated from Jamaica, and her mother, Una Clarke, introduced her to community activism.1 When she won her mother's City Council seat, they became the first mother and daughter to succeed one another on the council.2
Before elected office, Clarke worked as a childcare specialist and served on the staff of state Senator Velmanette Montgomery.3 Her experience also includes the state Workers' Compensation Board, youth programs and business development.3 She attended Oberlin College, served on the City Council and entered Congress in January 2007.3
Clarke serves on the House Energy and Commerce Committee and chairs the Congressional Black Caucus.2 She also helps lead the Congressional Caribbean Caucus, working on ties between the United States and Caribbean nations.2 Her technology work includes introducing bills to address deceptive synthetic images and increase transparency about artificial intelligence in political advertising.2
She is the 9th District's Democratic candidate.4 Clarke supports universal healthcare and helps lead the Medicare for All Caucus.2 She has also advanced proposals addressing menopause research, uterine fibroids and uterine cancer, and advocates affordable internet access so that income does not determine whether a family can get connected.2