JACKSON, Miss.—Mississippi House Rep. Alyce G. Clarke, D-Jackson, announced her retirement this afternoon on the floor of the chamber. In a 1985 special election, she became the first Black woman elected to either house of the Mississippi Legislature.
“I tried to do what my constituents asked me to do, and hopefully, I’ve made a difference in the community, the county, and even in the state of Mississippi,” said Clarke, 83.
She plans to serve out her term, which ends in January 2024. Voters will elect her successor to Mississippi House District 69 in the 2023 state legislative elections.
Tamarra Grace Butler-Washington told the Mississippi Free Press on Tuesday evening that she has already filed qualifying papers with the Democratic Party. Others can still file to run until Wednesday’s 5 p.m. deadline. She ran in 2012 to replace her aunt, late-Mississippi Sen. Alice Varnado Harden, but lost that election. She currently works for the Mississippi Department of Health.
“To say her wisdom, courage, and leadership will be missed is an understatement. Thank you, Rep. Clarke. We are so grateful,” the official Mississippi House Democrats account tweeted in response Clarke’s announcement.
In 1994, Clarke worked with others to establish BornFree of Mississippi, Inc., a nonprofit that provides services to pregnant women and mothers who suffer from drug and alcohol addiction. She considers it a proud part of her legacy.
“That, I guess, is the biggest because if you can get off to a good start, then you’ll probably be doing very, very well,” she told the Mississippi Free Press.
In 2018, the Legislature passed and then-Gov. Phil Bryant signed the Alyce G. Clarke Mississippi Lottery Law, naming the new state lottery program after her because of her longtime dedication to the issue. Proceeds from the lottery help fund roads, bridges and education. During her time in the House, Clarke also introduced a bill that established the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program in public schools in the state.
Mississippi House Speaker Philip Gunn said that the retirement of Mississippi Rep. Alyce G. Clarke, D-Jackson, 83, is a “page turned in the chapter of her