Dec 15, 2025 - Politics & Policy

House Democrat No. 2 Katherine Clark faces primary challenge

Andrew Solender

A woman in a bright pink suit and a man in a dark suit with a pink tie stand in an open doorway with ornate dark metal doors, warm lighting behind them. — Reps. Katherine Clark and Hakeem Jeffries exit the U.S. Capitol on Nov. 12. Photo: Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images

House Minority Whip Katherine Clark (D-Mass.) on Monday became the latest House Democrat to draw a left-wing primary challenge.

Why it matters: Clark is one of the highest ranking Democrats to face an intra-party threat to her reelection at a time when progressives across the country are trying to unseat establishment incumbents.

"I'm challenging one of the most powerful Democrats in the House because we need new leadership," Jonathan Paz, a former city council member from Waltham, Mass., said in a video announcing his run.
He added: "We need to rebuild the Democratic Party. ... We deserve leaders who reject money from corporations, leaders who stand with the working class, not the donor class."

State of play: Paz will have an uphill battle against Clark, who was first elected to Congress in 2012 and reported having $1.8 million in campaign funds going into October of this year.

Clark joins dozens of House Democrats, who are facing anti-establishment primary challenges from insurgents who say they will do a better job taking on President Trump.
Chi Ossé, a New York City Council member, flirted with a challenge to Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) but backed off after failing to secure an endorsement from the Democratic Socialists of America.
A Clark spokesperson did not immediately respond to Axios' request for comment.

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House Democrat No. 2 Katherine Clark faces primary challenge

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