Angela Clay

Clay grew up in Uptown, Chicago, where she attended Joseph Brennemann Elementary School and Uplift High School.[1][2] She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in public policy from DePaul University.[3] She worked as a community organizer with Northside Action for Justice and served as the board president for Voice of the People, an affordable housing nonprofit.[4] She also served as a community representative on the local school council for Brennemann Elementary School.[5][6]

In the 2019 election, Clay challenged incumbent 46th ward alderman James Cappleman. She placed fourth in the first round election, and Cappleman went on to win the runoff.[7]

In the 2023 election, Clay once again announced her run for alderperson of the 46th ward, which was an open seat due to Cappleman's pending retirement. In the first round election on February 28, 2023, she placed first with 36.1% of the vote and advanced to the runoff against Kim Walz.[7] Clay received endorsements and contributions from several unions including the Chicago Teachers Union, the Illinois Nurses Association, and the Service Employees International Union.[8] She also received support from progressive elected officials such as Maria Hadden, Matt Martin, Mike Simmons, and members of the City Council Democratic Socialist Caucus,[9] former 46th ward alderwoman Helen Shiller,[4] and local organizations such as ONE People's Campaign, Asian American Midwest Progressives, and Jewish Council on Urban Affairs Votes.[10][9] The race became the only City Council election where campaign contribution limits were lifted, due to expenditures supporting Walz surpassing $100,000.[8][11] On April 4, Clay won the runoff election.[10][12][13]

Upon taking office, Clay said that her early goals included summer youth programming and addressing the needs of the surge of migrants and asylum seekers being bussed to the city.[14]