Longtime City Councilwoman Clarke Won't Seek Re-Election

The Baltimore City Council's longest-tenured member told supporters Monday she will not seek re-election in 2020.

In an email, 14th District Councilwoman Mary Pat Clarke said it was time to give way to younger leadership.

"For the past 15 years, I have had the honor and joy of representing our diverse and dynamic 14th District," Clarke wrote. "Now it's time for a new generation of City Council leadership for our district."

Clarke, 77, was first elected to the body from the 2nd District from 1975 to 1983. She was elected City Council president in 1987, and served in that role until 1995, when she lost a run for mayor. After voters approved single-member districts, she won election to her current seat in 2004.

Mayor Bernard C. "Jack" Young, who served as City Council president until former Mayor Catherine Pugh went on a medical leave of absence last month, has worked with Clarke since she first won in the 14th District.

"That would be a loss, an institutional loss for the council, because Mary Pat has been one who has tried to mentor some of the other younger council members," Young said. "So if she's planning on retiring, I wish her well, but I hate to see her go."

A career educator, she has taught at the Maryland Institute College of Art, Johns Hopkins University and University of Maryland, Baltimore County. In the late 1960s, she was a founding board member of the Greater Homewood Community Corporation, which she later led as president and executive director.

Her district includes Guilford, Waverly, Ednor Gardens-Lakeside, Clifton Park, Johns Hopkins University and parts of Hampden and Charles Village.

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Phil Yacuboski contributed to this report.