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== Early life, education, and early political career ==
== Early life, education, and early political career ==
Clarke was born in [[Detroit, Michigan]] to [[father]] Mozaffar Ali Hashim, an immigrant from the region of India that would become Bangladesh, and an African American mother, Thelma Clarke. He grew up in the city's lower east side. His father died when he was a child and his mother worked as a [[crossing guard]] to support her family. Clarke attended [[Cass Technical High School]], and later graduated from [[Governor Dummer Academy]], a Massachusetts boarding school.<ref name="SenateDem"/>
Clarke was born in [[Detroit, Michigan]] to [[father]] Mozaffar Ali Hashim, an illegal<ref>http://www.usimmigration.com/detroit-congressman-proud-son.html</ref>immigrant from the region of India that would become [[Bangladesh]], and an African American mother, Thelma Clarke. He grew up in the city's lower east side. His father died when he was a child and his mother worked as a [[crossing guard]] to support her family. Clarke attended [[Cass Technical High School]], and later graduated from [[Governor Dummer Academy]], a Massachusetts boarding school.<ref name="SenateDem"/>


Clarke attended [[Cornell University]], graduating with a degree in fine arts. Clarke was a member of [[Alpha Phi Alpha]] fraternity. While at Cornell, he became interested in public service & electoral politics. He was elected to the student seat on the Cornell University Board of Trustees and was selected for membership in the [[Quill and Dagger]] society. He earned a law degree from [[Georgetown University Law Center]] in 1987.<ref name="SenateDem"/>
Clarke attended [[Cornell University]], graduating with a degree in fine arts. Clarke was a member of [[Alpha Phi Alpha]] fraternity. While at Cornell, he became interested in public service & electoral politics. He was elected to the student seat on the Cornell University Board of Trustees and was selected for membership in the [[Quill and Dagger]] society. He earned a law degree from [[Georgetown University Law Center]] in 1987.<ref name="SenateDem"/>

Revision as of 12:59, 8 July 2012

Hansen Clarke
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Michigan's 13th district
Assumed office
January 3, 2011
Preceded byCarolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick
Member of the Michigan Senate
from the 1st district
In office
January 1, 2003 – January 3, 2011
Preceded byRay Murphy
Succeeded byColeman Young II
Personal details
Born
Hansen Hashim Clarke

(1957-03-02) March 2, 1957 (age 67)
Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseChoi Palms-Cohen[1]
Residence(s)Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
Alma materGeorgetown University Law Center (J.D.)
Cornell University (B.F.A.)
ProfessionAttorney

Hansen Hashim Clarke (born March 2, 1957) is the U.S. Representative for Michigan's 13th congressional district. Clarke, a Democrat, was a member of the Michigan House of Representatives from 1991 through 1992, and from 1999 through 2002. He then served in the Michigan Senate, representing the 1st District from January 1, 2003 to January 3, 2011.[2][3] Clarke is also the first U.S. Congressman of Bangladeshi descent.

Early life, education, and early political career

Clarke was born in Detroit, Michigan to father Mozaffar Ali Hashim, an illegal[4]immigrant from the region of India that would become Bangladesh, and an African American mother, Thelma Clarke. He grew up in the city's lower east side. His father died when he was a child and his mother worked as a crossing guard to support her family. Clarke attended Cass Technical High School, and later graduated from Governor Dummer Academy, a Massachusetts boarding school.[3]

Clarke attended Cornell University, graduating with a degree in fine arts. Clarke was a member of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity. While at Cornell, he became interested in public service & electoral politics. He was elected to the student seat on the Cornell University Board of Trustees and was selected for membership in the Quill and Dagger society. He earned a law degree from Georgetown University Law Center in 1987.[3]

Clarke worked as chief of staff to U.S. Representative John Conyers, and prior to that, on the County Executive's staff of Wayne County, during the administration of Edward H. McNamara.

Michigan legislature

Elections

Clarke was first elected to the Michigan House of Representatives in 1990 and served one term before being defeated in the Democrat primary in 1992 by Joe Young Jr. In 1998 and 2000, Clarke was re-elected to the Michigan House.

Hansen Clarke was then elected to the Michigan Senate in 2002, defeating incumbent Senator Ray Murphy. After an unsuccessful mayoral bid in 2005, Senator Clarke was re-elected to his seat in the Senate in 2006.

Tenure

Since his election, Representative Clarke has made it his mission to cut auto insurance rates by 20%. In addition to introducing legislation, Representative Clarke has toured the state promoting insurance reform.[5]

U.S. House of Representatives

Tenure

Clarke, a member of the Congressional Black Caucus, has come under scrutiny for his lineage. His mother, who Clark says was of African American descent, was listed as "white" on her death certificate.[6] Clark maintains that he is African American and Asian at the same time, "similar to our president."[7]

Elections

2010

See also: United States House of Representatives elections in Michigan, 2010 § District 13

In pursuing a seat in Congress during the 2010 election, Clarke noted that he lives debt-free after following advice from anti-debt financial planner Dave Ramsey and that he is committed to attacking deficit spending without raising taxes.[8] Clarke defeated seven-term incumbent U.S. Rep. Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick in the Democratic primary for Michigan's 13th District in Aug. 3, 2010.[9] The 13th was a heavily Democratic, black-majority district, but will be dramatically changed under 2012 redistricting.

In the general election, Clarke easily defeated Republican John Hauler, and became the third American of South Asian descent elected to Congress.[10]

2012

See also: United States House of Representatives elections in Michigan, 2012 § District 14

Hansen Clark is running in the newly-created 14th District.[7]

Committee assignments

Electoral history

  • 2010 election for U.S. House - District 13 (General Election)[11]
Name Percent
Clarke, Hansen (D)   79.40%
Hauler, John (R)   18.46%
Corsetti, George (G)   0.81%
Montgomery, Duane (I)   0.69%
Peterson, Heidi (L)   0.64%
Casha, James (I)   ~0%
  • 2010 election for U.S. House - District 13 (Democratic Primary)
Name Percent
Clarke, Hansen   47%
Cheeks Kilpatrick, Carolyn (i)   41%
Plummer, Glenn   4%
Broad, John   4%
Brown, Vincent   2%
Hume, Stephen   2%
  • 2006 election for Michigan State Senate - Michigan 1st District
Name Percent
Hansen Clarke (D) (inc.)   95.5%
Cynthia Cassell (R)   4.5%
  • 2006 election for Michigan State Senate - Michigan 1st District (Democratic primary)
Name Percent
Hansen Clarke (inc.)   66.0%
Lamar Lemmons, III   22.9%
Martha Waters   11.1%
  • 2002 election for Michigan State Senate - Michigan 1st District
Name Percent
Hansen Clarke (D)   93.7%
Cynthia Cassell (R)   6.3%
  • 2002 election for Michigan State Senate - Michigan 1st District (Democratic primary)
Name Percent
Hansen Clarke   48.1%
Raymond M. Murphy   33.1%
Ellen M. Logan   17.4%

Personal life

Clarke is married to Choi Palms-Cohen.[1] They met and married in a whirlwind romance of about three weeks in mid-2007, after meeting at the offices of the Institute of Continuing Legal Education (ICLE) in Ann Arbor, Michigan where she works.[12]

Clarke was raised a Muslim, but converted to Catholicism.[13]

References

  1. ^ a b c "Fighting the power: Hansen Clarke vs. Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick". The Smirking Chimp. Retrieved 2010-08-23.
  2. ^ Michigan Manual 2005-2006. Lansing, MI: Legislative Council, State of Michigan. 2006. p. 130. ISBN 1-878210-06-8. Retrieved 2007-03-09. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  3. ^ a b c "Michigan Senate Democrats: About Hansen Clarke". 2007. Archived from the original on 2007-02-05. Retrieved 2007-03-09. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  4. ^ http://www.usimmigration.com/detroit-congressman-proud-son.html
  5. ^ "Detroit Sen. Hansen Clarke joins governor's race - Fox 28: South Bend, Elkhart IN News, Weather, Sports". Fox 28. 2010-01-05. Retrieved 2010-08-23.
  6. ^ "U.S. Rep. Hansen Clarke complains race baiting has entered congressional campaign". Detroit Free Press. 30 June 2012. Retrieved 6 July 2012.
  7. ^ a b "5 candidates for 14th Congressional district appear at forum, but Hansen Clarke a no show". Detroit Free Press. 1 July 2012. Retrieved 6 July 2012.
  8. ^ The Detroit News. For Congress. Page A11. October 11, 2010.
  9. ^ Detroit Free Press: Clarke upsets Kilpatrick as family dynasty ends (Aug. 3, 2010) http://www.freep.com/article/20100804/NEWS15/8040338/
  10. ^ Voice of America: First Bangladeshi-American elected to US Congress (Nov. 3, 2010) http://www.voanews.com/english/news/usa/First-Bangladeshi-American-Elected-to-US-Congress-106618549.html
  11. ^ "2010 Official Michigan General Election Results - 13th District Representative in Congress 2 Year Term (1) Position Files In WAYNE County". http://miboecfr.nicusa.com (website).
  12. ^ Ann Arborite Choi Palms-Cohen - A whirlwind romance's political turn, Eve Silberman, 2 November 2010, arborweb.com, accessed 7 January 2011
  13. ^ Rep. Kilpatrick Vanquisher, Hansen Clarke, Has Some Story.
U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Michigan's 13th congressional district
January 3, 2011 – present 		Succeeded by
Incumbent
U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial)
Preceded by United States Representatives by seniority
354th 		Succeeded by
Michigan Senate
Preceded by
Ray Murphy
 State Senator from Michigan's 1st District
2003 – 2011 		Succeeded by

Template:Persondata

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