Rudolph M. Clay
Encyclopedia
Rudolph M. "Rudy" Clay is the Democratic
mayor of Gary, Indiana
. He was elected by special election in 2006 following the resignation of Scott L. King
, and again in the 2007 municipal election. Prior to becoming mayor, Clay served as a county commissioner and as the first African-American head of the Lake County
Democratic Party.
In April 2011, shortly before the primary election
, Clay announced that he had been diagnosed with cancer and would not seek reelection. He endorsed Karen Freeman-Wilson
as his successor.
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
mayor of Gary, Indiana
Gary, Indiana
Gary is a city in Lake County, Indiana, United States. The city is in the southeastern portion of the Chicago metropolitan area and is 25 miles from downtown Chicago. The population is 80,294 at the 2010 census, making it the seventh-largest city in the state. It borders Lake Michigan and is known...
. He was elected by special election in 2006 following the resignation of Scott L. King
Scott L. King
Scott L. King was mayor of Gary, Indiana from 1996 to 2006, when he resigned. He was Gary's first white mayor since the election of Richard Hatcher in 1967. A member of the Democratic Party for most of his time in office, King left the party to become an independent in 2005, shortly before his...
, and again in the 2007 municipal election. Prior to becoming mayor, Clay served as a county commissioner and as the first African-American head of the Lake County
Lake County, Indiana
Lake County is a county located in the U.S. state of Indiana. In 2010, its population was 496,005, making it Indiana's second-most populous county. The county seat is Crown Point. This county is part of Northwest Indiana and the Chicago metropolitan area. The county contains a mix of urban,...
Democratic Party.
In April 2011, shortly before the primary election
Primary election
A primary election is an election in which party members or voters select candidates for a subsequent election. Primary elections are one means by which a political party nominates candidates for the next general election....
, Clay announced that he had been diagnosed with cancer and would not seek reelection. He endorsed Karen Freeman-Wilson
Karen Freeman-Wilson
Karen Freeman-Wilson is an American attorney, former judge, former Indiana Attorney General, and currently Mayor-elect of Gary, Indiana.-Early Life and Education:...
as his successor.