Rep. Katherine Clark Makes Move For Top House Position

MELROSE, MA — U.S. Rep. Katherine Clark of Melrose is making moves to ascend the House ladder, announcing her candidacy for assistant speaker.

Clark, already an influential Democrat in Washington as vice chair of the House Democratic Caucus, is the second-highest-ranking woman in Congress behind Speaker Nancy Pelosi. If Clark is successful in her bid for assistant speaker, she'd be in the fourth-highest ranking spot in House leadership.

California Rep. Tony Cardenas and Rhode Island Rep. David Cicilline are also pushing for the assistant speaker position.

"Effective leadership is not about individual ambition, but our collective good. It is about truly listening and understanding the needs of our Members and using my voice at the leadership table to amplify yours," Clark wrote Tuesday morning in a letter to colleagues. "This is not the stuff of headlines, but it is the meticulous work that helps Members achieve their legislative goals and serve their constituents, and makes our Caucus stronger. Over the last four years, I have dedicated myself to this effort."

Clark is considered a heavy favorite in the general election against Stoneham Selectwoman Caroline Colarusso, a Republican.

The House won't vote on assistant speaker until after the general election.