Teachers union backs Clark in 6th district

Posted at 12:31 PM on December 15, 2009 by Tim Pugmire
Filed under: Campaign 2010, Campaign 2010: U.S. House

Education Minnesota announced today that it's endorsing state Sen. Tarryl Clark, DFL-St. Cloud, in her campaign for Congress in Minnesota's 6th district.

Clark is seeking the DFL endorsement to challenge incumbent Republican Congresswoman Michele Bachmann. Here's the Education Minnesota news release:

Education Minnesota, the state's largest labor union with a membership of 70,000 educators, has recommended Tarryl Clark for Congress in Minnesota's 6th Congressional District. Clark is challenging Republican Rep. Michele Bachmann in November.

Clark's work ethic, her willingness to listen to educators and work with them, and her strong campaign make her the best candidate for the job, Education Minnesota President Tom Dooher said. Clark was among three contenders who were screened by a team of Education Minnesota members from around the 6th District. Bachmann did not fill out the required questionnaire to screen with the committee.

"Our members were impressed with Tarryl Clark's passion, her grasp of the issues and her commitment to working with us to benefit Minnesota's students," Dooher said. "We look forward to helping elect a representative from the 6th District who will fight for students, educators and public schools."

The recommendation from Education Minnesota also means endorsement of Clark by the PAC of one of the union's national affiliates - the National Education Association's Fund for Children and Public Education. Recommendation from the American Federation of Teachers' Committee on Political Education is pending.

Clark is a community activist and attorney who serves as the assistant majority leader of the Minnesota Senate. She holds a master's degree in educational counseling from Arizona State University, and received her law degree from William Mitchell College of Law. She worked as executive director for the Minnesota Community Action Association before winning a special election to the Senate in December 2005. She was re-elected to a full four-year term in the 2006 general election. She is married and has two children and lives in St. Cloud.

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