Mississippi’s first Black female lawmaker will not be seeking reelection.
Representative Alyce Clarke, D-Jackson, announced her retirement on Tuesday at the Mississippi State Capitol, putting an end to a historic tenure in the House.
Clarke began her service in the Mississippi House in 1985. One of Clarke’s greatest achievements in the House is her role in creating the state lottery. Not only was the Hinds County Representative a longtime advocate of a Mississippi lottery, but she was also the first to purchase a state lottery ticket in 2019.
Nevertheless, Clarke wants to be remembered as a devoted public servant who worked tirelessly to help her constituents throughout her 38-year career in office.
“Now don’t just think of me as the lottery lady. Don’t think of me as the ‘Born Free’ lady. Think of me as somebody who tried to help somebody along the way,” she said.
House Speaker Philip Gunn praised Clarke and reminded her that she had made both her constituents and the state of Mississippi proud during her time in office.
Representative Alyce Clarke takes a point of personal privilege at the well to announce she is not seeking re-election. Rep. Clarke (D – Jackson) was first elected in 1984. #msleg pic.twitter.com/FphzHWoN3C
— Mississippi House of Representatives (@MSHouseOfRep) January 31, 2023
