25 Facts About Tarryl Clark

Tarryl Lynn Clark was born on July 31,1961 and is an American activist, attorney, politician and a former member of the Minnesota Senate.

Tarryl Clark was a Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party nominee for United States Congress in 2010, unsuccessfully challenging incumbent Republican Michele Bachmann.

In 2011, Clark sought the Democratic nomination to challenge Republican congressman Chip Cravaack in Minnesota's 8th congressional district, but lost the endorsement to Rick Nolan, who went on to win the August 2012 primary.

Tarryl Clark was born in Norfolk, Virginia, where her father was serving in the United States Navy.

Tarryl Clark has three brothers, two of whom went on to serve in the Navy.

Tarryl Clark frequently volunteered in her church, where she sang in the choir, taught Sunday school, and was one of the first female acolytes in her parish.

Tarryl Clark later earned a Master's Degree in Education from Arizona State University.

In 1983, Tarryl Clark developed the Young Adult Program at the Center for Youth Resources to help teenagers and young mothers develop needed skills to get jobs and raise families.

In 1990, Tarryl Clark was a founding member of Central Minnesota's Habitat for Humanity.

Tarryl Clark became the organization's first director, growing the volunteer base from 0 to 400.

Tarryl Clark traveled to towns and cities across Minnesota, talking with community leaders and volunteers about helping people through activities like Meals on Wheels, emergency shelters, and other local and regional efforts.

In 2003, after the death of DFL Associate Chair Mary McEvoy in the plane crash that claimed the lives of Senator Paul and Sheila Wellstone, Tarryl Clark was elected Associate Chair of the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party.

In December 2005, Tarryl Clark won a special election to succeed outgoing Republican Senator Dave Kleis, who was elected mayor of St Cloud.

Tarryl Clark was reelected to a full four-year term in the 2006 general election.

Tarryl Clark's district included portions of Benton, Sherburne, and Stearns counties.

In 2006, Tarryl Clark was elected Senate Assistant Majority Leader by her colleagues.

In July 2009, Tarryl Clark announced her candidacy for the 2010 Democratic nomination in Minnesota's 6th Congressional District, a seat held then by Representative Michele Bachmann.

On January 28,2010, Tarryl Clark formally launched her campaign and embarked on a 6-day "Working for You" Tour of Minnesota's 6th District.

Tarryl Clark was endorsed by several high-profile elected officials, including Vice President Walter Mondale, Senator Al Franken, and Representative Jim Oberstar, as well as former 6th District candidates Patty Wetterling and El Tinklenberg.

Tarryl Clark was endorsed by EMILY's List, womenwinning, and the Women's Campaign Forum.

On May 8,2011, Tarryl Clark announced that she was seeking the DFL nomination for Minnesota's 8th district in 2012.

On November 6,2018, Tarryl Clark won election to the Stearns County board of commissioners representing the first district.

In 2009, Tarryl Clark received two awards for her legislation achievements: the Legislator of Distinction award for supporting city-friendly legislation by the League of Minnesota Cities; and the Legislator of the Year by the Minnesota Association of Professional Employees.

In 2008, Tarryl Clark was honored by Central Minnesota Habitat for Humanity for her contribution to Women Build 2008.

Tarryl Clark attends St John's Church in St Cloud and is an active member of the St Cloud Rotary.