Rudolph M. Clay Sr. (July 16, 1935 – June 4, 2013) was an American activist and politician who was active in Indiana politics as a member of the Democratic Party. Clay was first active in politics with his election to the Indiana Senate from the 3rd district, then served in local politics in Lake County, Indiana, and served as the 19th Mayor of Gary, Indiana. He was the first black person elected to the state senate from Lake County and the first black person elected countywide in Lake County.
Rudy Clay | |
---|---|
19th Mayor of Gary, Indiana | |
In office April 7, 2006 – January 1, 2012 | |
Preceded by | Dozier Allen Jr. |
Succeeded by | Karen Freeman-Wilson |
Member of the Lake County, Indiana Commission from the 1st district | |
In office December 12, 1986 – April 7, 2006 | |
Preceded by | N. Atterson Spann Jr. |
Succeeded by | Roosevelt Allen Jr. |
Lake County, Indiana Recorder | |
In office January 1, 1985[1] – 1987 | |
Preceded by | William Bielski Jr. |
Succeeded by | Richard Blastick |
Member of the Lake County, Indiana Council from the 4th district | |
In office 1978 – December 30, 1984 | |
Preceded by | Frank Perry |
Member of the Indiana Senate from the 3rd district | |
In office 1973–1977 | |
Preceded by | John Franklin Shawley |
Succeeded by | Katie Hall |
Personal details | |
Born | Hillsboro, Alabama, U.S. | July 16, 1935
Died | June 4, 2013 Gary, Indiana, U.S. | (aged 77)
Political party | Democratic |
Spouse | Christine Swan |
Children | 1 |
Military service | |
Branch/service | United States Army |
Years of service | 1959–1961 |
Clay was born in Hillsboro, Alabama, and raised by his aunts following the death of his mother. He was educated at Roosevelt High School and Indiana University Bloomington. He served in the United States Army for two years as a Chaplain Assistant. He was active in the Civil rights movement, worked for a civil rights organization in Gary, Indiana, and was awarded by the Southern Christian Leadership Conference.
Clay entered electoral politics with his election to the state senate where he served one term before he was defeated in the Democratic primary by Representative Katie Hall. Following his tenure in the state senate he served as a councilor, recorder, and commissioner in Lake County. He survived an assassination attempt after his election to the county commission. He was elected as mayor of Gary following the resignation of Mayor Scott L. King and served until 2012. He died in 2013.
Early life
editRudolph Clay Sr. was born in Hillsboro, Alabama, on July 16, 1935, to Willie and Maxie Clay. Following the death of his mother he was raised by his aunts Lucy Hunter and Daisy Washington. He graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1953, and attended Indiana University Bloomington. He married Christine Swan, with whom he had one child, in 1957. Clay was drafted into the United States Army in 1959, and served until he was honorably discharged in 1961. During his service in the army he mainly worked as a Chaplain Assistant.[2][3]
Career
editCivil rights
editClay was involved in the Civil rights movement and participated in marches led by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. during the 1960s. He was award the Operation Breadbasket Outstanding Activist Award by the Southern Christian Leadership Conference in 1970.[2] He worked as the public relations director for the United Viscounts, a civil rights organization in Gary, Indiana.[4][5]
Indiana Senate
editElections
editClay ran for the Democratic nomination for a seat in the Indiana Senate from the 3rd district in 1972. He won in the primary against seven other candidates and defeated Republican nominee Fredrick Wood. He was the first black person to represent Lake County, Indiana in the state senate.[6][7][8][2]
Clay ran for reelection to the state senate in the 1976 election, but was defeated in the Democratic primary by Representative Katie Hall. Clay was one of four incumbent Democratic members of the state senate to lose renomination.[9][10] Clay filed lawsuit for a recount, but the recount maintained Hall's victory.[11][12] Hall won in the general election without opposition.[13]
Tenure
editDuring Clay's tenure he was the ranking minority member of the Public Health committee. He also served on the Affairs of Lake County, Legislative Apportionment, and Natural Resources, Ecology and Agriculture committees.[14][15]
Clay and Representatives Jewell Harris and Robert Freeland, who were all black, boycotted a dinner at The Columbia Club that they were invited to as the club refused membership to black people. The Indiana NAACP gave support to the boycott.[16]
During a riot in 1973, at the Indiana State Prison, where prisoners took control of three cellblocks and held three officers hostage, Clay offered to work as an intermediary in the negotiations.[17] One of the officers was let go after the prisoners talked to Clay and the riot ended after thirty-five hours.[18] The prisoners met a delegation consisting of reporters, Clay, and Representative Robert DuComb.[19]
Local politics
editIn 1978, Clay filed to run for a seat on the Lake County, Indiana council from the 4th district. He defeated incumbent Councilor Frank Perry in the Democratic primary and won in the general election without opposition.[20][21][22][23] He won reelection against Republican nominee Joseph Stojakovich in the 1982 election.[24] During his tenure on the council Clay served as president.[25]
On January 6, 1984, Clay announced that he would run for the Democratic nomination for Lake County Recorder to succeed William Bielski Jr., who was term-limited.[26] He won the Democratic nomination against ten other candidates which included Johnny McWilliams, who had the support of Gary Mayor Richard G. Hatcher, Leonard Bielski, the brother of the incumbent recorder, and Mathias A. Kerger, a former member of the state senate.[27][28] He defeated Republican nominee Alan L. Banister in the general election.[29] He was the first black person elected countywide in Lake County.[30] He resigned from the county council on December 30, 1984, to become county recorder.[31]
County Commission
editElections
editIn 1986, Clay ran for a seat on the Lake County Commission from the 1st district, defeated incumbent Commissioner N. Atterson Spann Jr. and four other candidates in the Democratic primary, and defeated Republican nominee Fredrick Congress general election.[32][33][34] Richard Blastick succeeded Clay as county recorder.[35]
On October 10, 1989, Clay announced that he would run for reelection to the county commission and won in the 1990 election.[36][37] Clay defeated Gerald Hayes and Velia Taneff in the 1994 Democratic primary and faced no opposition in the general election.[38][39]
During the 1998 election Clay successfully sued to have Carlos Clay removed from the Democratic primary ballot stating that Carlos was meant to mislead voters.[40][41] Clay was endorsed by five of the six Democratic district captains in Gary, but Morris Carter and Robert Freeland accused him of using patronage to gain those endorsements.[42] He defeated Carter, Freeland, Lyndell Vanzant, and Jasinto Carter in the primary.[43][44][45]
Suzette Raggs, the deputy mayor of Gary, ran against Clay in the 2002 Democratic primary with the support of Mayor Scott L. King.[46] On March 8, Clay filed to have Epifanio Marrero removed from the primary ballot stating that Marrero lived in Porter County and a court ruled in Clay's favor on May 2.[47] Clay defeated Raggs, Daniel Spolijoric, and Tony Walker in the primary and Republican nominee Charles Kirkland in the general election.[48][49]
Tenure
editDuring Clay's tenure as commissioner he was called a "traitor to the Democratic Party" by Representative Paul Hric for replacing county workers who were members of the Democratic Party with members of the Republican Party.[50] Clay voted to make Ernest Niemeyer, a Republican, president of the county commission in 1994.[51] Clay served as president and vice president of the commission multiple times.[52][53]
On December 8, 1986, an assassination attempt was made against Clay when a sniper shot him three times in the shoulder and lower back after waiting outside his home. Two men were reported to have been involved in the attempted assassination. On December 12, he was sworn in on to the county commission earlier than the normal date so that Spann Jr., who would take over if Clay died, would not take over.[54][55] Later an attack was made against Lake County Councilman Andrew Smith when two shotgun blasts were fired into Smith's home and Smith believed that the attack was related to the assassination attempt against Clay.[56]
Payphones owned by RCD Pay Phones were installed in Gary's courthouse. In 1998, Richard Dunne, the owner of RCD, said that the deal was created at a secret meeting between Clay, Clay's business associate Maggie Taylor, and RCD executives in 1996. Dunne also said that he was required to give $1,000 to Clay on November 26, 1996. The contracts were invalid as they only had the signature of one commissioner, Clay, instead of the two required.[57][58] Clay denied the allegations and U.S. Attorney Jon DeGuilio requested the FBI to investigate.[59] Taylor admitted that she accepted $2,100 to make the contracts.[60] Dunne later recanted his allegations.[61]
Democratic politics
editDuring the 1988 Democratic presidential primaries Clay ran as a delegate for Jesse Jackson despite attempts made by former Mayor Hatch and Jackson's presidential campaign to prevent them from appearing on the ballot.[62] Clay won election as a delegate, but the Democratic National Committee's credentials committee selected Hatcher, who was the vice-chair of Jackson's campaign, to go to the convention instead of Clay while Barnes was sent to the convention instead of the Jackson-supported Carlos Tolliver.[63][64] However, another decision was made where Barnes, Clay, Hatcher, and Tolliver would all attend the convention with half-voting power.[65]
Clay was an elector for Al Gore during the 2000 presidential election.[66] He endorsed Barack Obama during the 2008 Democratic presidential primaries, campaigned for him in South Carolina,[67] and served as a delegate to the Democratic National Convention.[68] Clay called for Obama to select U.S. Senator Evan Bayh as his running mate.[69]
Clay ran to serve as chair of the Gary Democratic Precinct Organization and won on March 13, 1993, after defeating incumbent chair Richard Comer, who also served as Deputy Mayor.[70][71][72] He was reelected in 1997.[73] Stephen Stiglich, the chair of the Lake County Democratic Party since 1997, sought reelection in 2005, but the Democratic State Central Committee voted to make Clay chair on April 19.[74][75] King, who supported Stiglich, left the Democratic Party and became an independent after Clay's selection.[76] During the 2007 mayoral election Karen Freeman-Wilson requested Dan Parker, chair of the Indiana Democratic Party, to suspend Clay's chairmanship, but Parker said that he did not have that power and Clay refused to step down.[77] Clay ran for reelection as chair, but was defeated by Thomas McDermott Jr. on March 7, 2009.[78]
Mayor
editClay supported Vernon Smith during the 2000 mayoral election.[79] Clay was a candidate in the 2003 mayoral election, but withdrew from the election.[80] He stated that there were too many candidates in the race and that the divided opposition would allow King to win renomination.[81] King won reelection.[82]
King resigned on March 23, 2006, and deputy mayor Dozier Allen Jr. replaced him as acting mayor. A Democratic caucus was held to select a person to serve the remainder of King's term. Clay announced his campaign on March 27, and defeated Allen and John Hall.[83][84][85] Clay continued running for reelection in the concurrent commissioner election as he would have more influence over the selection of his replacement through a caucus selection.[86] Calumet Township board member Roosevelt Allen Jr. defeated Clay in the primary.[87][88]
In 2007, Clay won the Democratic primary against multiple candidates, including Freeman-Wilson, and defeated Republican nominee Charles Smith Jr. and write-in candidate Eddie Tarver in the general election.[89][90] Clay initially sought reelection in 2011, but withdrew on April 8, 2011, after being diagnosed with prostate cancer. He endorsed Freeman-Wilson although name remained on the Democratic primary ballot. Freeman-Wilson was elected to succeed him.[91][80][92]
Morgan Quitno Press listed Gary as the tenth most dangerous city in the United States during Clay's tenure.[93] Clay served as head of the Gary Sanitary District.[94] He requested that Gary receive $400 million of the $5 billion allotted to Indiana by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.[95]
Death and legacy
editClay died on June 4, 2013, in Gary.[2] In 2014, a section of U.S. Route 20 that went through Gary was renamed in honor of Clay.[96]
Political positions
editClay called for the United States House of Representatives to impeach President Richard Nixon in 1974.[97]
Clay wrote a letter to President Gerald Ford informing him of his opposition to Ford's raising food stamp prices and he introduced a resolution in the state senate calling for Congress to reject Ford's proposed increase.[98][99]
Amendments
editThe state senate voted thirty-four to sixteen, with Clay in favor, against ratifying the Equal Rights Amendment in 1973.[100] In 1975, Clay introduced a resolution in the state senate calling for the United States Congress to pass an amendment to the United States Constitution to make the president elected through the popular vote instead of through the electoral college.[101]
Crime and legal
editThe state senate voted forty to nine, with Clay against, in favor of maintaining the death penalty.[102] In 1973, the state senate voted thirty-one to eighteen, with Clay against, in favor of legislation to allow local, county, and state police access to certain types of wire taps.[103] Clay asked for George Phend, the Superintendent of Indiana State Reformatory, to allow prisoners to kiss their wives citing results from the policy at the prison in Terre Haute, Indiana where it helped rehabilitation and lowered homosexuality.[104][105] Clay opposed a resolution by Senator Marlin McDaniel which would have the state legislature be put on record as opposing amnesty for people involved in prison disturbances.[106] Clay attempted to ban gun shows in Lake County and the sale of guns on county property.[107]
Civil rights
editClay opposed desegregation busing.[108] Clay introduced legislation to recognize a state holiday in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. in 1974.[109]
Electoral history
editParty | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Rudolph Clay | 23,908 | 87.48% | ||
Republican | Frederick Wood | 3,421 | 12.52% | ||
Total votes | 27,329 | 100.00% |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Katie Hall | 10,112 | 51.59% | ||
Democratic | Rudolph Clay (incumbent) | 9,488 | 48.41% | ||
Total votes | 19,600 | 100.00% |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Rudolph Clay | 5,715 | 79.74% | ||
Democratic | Frank Perry (incumbent) | 1,452 | 20.26% | ||
Total votes | 7,167 | 100.00% |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Rudolph Clay | 12,871 | 100.00% | ||
Total votes | 12,871 | 100.00% |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Rudolph Clay (incumbent) | 22,083 | 95.96% | −4.04% | |
Republican | Joseph Stojakovich | 929 | 4.04% | +4.04% | |
Total votes | 23,012 | 100.00% |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Rudolph Clay | 114,346 | 60.29% | ||
Republican | Alan L. Banister | 75,317 | 39.71% | ||
Total votes | 189,663 | 100.00% |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Rudolph Clay | 13,952 | 45.95% | ||
Democratic | N. Atterson Spann Jr. (incumbent) | 10,870 | 35.80% | ||
Democratic | Reginald DuBose | 2,292 | 7.55% | ||
Democratic | Gerald Hayes | 1,799 | 5.92% | ||
Democratic | Antonia Garner | 898 | 2.96% | ||
Democratic | Harry L. Short | 552 | 1.82% | ||
Total votes | 30,363 | 100.00% |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Rudolph Clay | 27,977 | 84.10% | ||
Republican | Frederick Congress | 5,291 | 15.90% | ||
Total votes | 33,268 | 100.00% |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Rudolph Clay (incumbent) | 10,953 | 50.64% | ||
Democratic | Morris Carter | 5,217 | 24.12% | ||
Democratic | Robert Freeland | 4,091 | 18.92% | ||
Democratic | Lyndell Vanzant | 859 | 3.97% | ||
Democratic | Jasinto Carter | 508 | 2.35% | ||
Total votes | 21,628 | 100.00% |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Rudolph Clay (incumbent) | 29,645 | 100.00% | ||
Total votes | 29,645 | 100.00% |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Rudy Clay | 66 | 50.38% | ||
Democratic | Dozier Allen Jr. (incumbent) | 64 | 48.85% | ||
Democratic | John Hall | 1 | 0.76% | ||
Total votes | 131 | 100.00% |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Rudy Clay (incumbent) | 9,139 | 44.36% | ||
Democratic | Karen Freeman-Wilson | 5,539 | 26.89% | ||
Democratic | Charles Hughes | 2,868 | 13.92% | ||
Democratic | Darren Washington | 2,515 | 12.21% | ||
Democratic | Norman Roby | 215 | 1.04% | ||
Democratic | Larry Anderson | 69 | 0.33% | ||
Democratic | John Henry Hall | 64 | 0.30% | ||
Democratic | Theresa Moses Sturdivant | 62 | |||
Democratic | Larry Evans | 57 | 0.28% | ||
Democratic | Pierre Strickland | 46 | 0.22% | ||
Democratic | Ulysses Burnett | 28 | 0.14% | ||
Total votes | 20,602 | 100.00% |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Rudy Clay (incumbent) | 8,529 | 74.93% | ||
Republican | Charles Smith Jr. | 2,569 | 22.57% | ||
Independent | Eddie Tarver (write-in) | 284 | 2.50% | ||
Total votes | 11,382 | 100.00% |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Thomas McDermott Jr. | 405 | 59.12% | ||
Democratic | Rudy Clay (incumbent) | 280 | 40.88% | ||
Total votes | 685 | 100.00% |
References
edit- ^ "Officials to take oath". The Times of Northwest Indiana. December 20, 1984. p. 7. Archived from the original on January 15, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b c d "Rudolph Clay Sr. obituary". The Times of Northwest Indiana. June 9, 2013. Archived from the original on January 10, 2024.
- ^ "The Candidates". The Times of Northwest Indiana. April 22, 1994. p. B2. Archived from the original on January 10, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "'Beef' Session Scheduled". The Times of Northwest Indiana. November 2, 1965. p. 3. Archived from the original on January 15, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Gary Council Help Sought in Crisis". The Times of Northwest Indiana. January 26, 1969. p. 28. Archived from the original on January 15, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Candidate Filings Start Out Slowly". The Times of Northwest Indiana. February 23, 1972. p. 5. Archived from the original on January 15, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Stanish Loses Assembly Seat to Sen. Bainbridge". The Times of Northwest Indiana. May 3, 1972. p. 24. Archived from the original on January 15, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b "Vote Gives GOP Surprise In Senate Race Victories". The Times of Northwest Indiana. November 8, 1972. p. 17. Archived from the original on January 15, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Attorney Files For Judge Seat". The Times of Northwest Indiana. February 22, 1976. p. 21. Archived from the original on January 15, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Four Demo Senators Defeated In Primary". The Tribune. May 5, 1976. p. 17. Archived from the original on January 15, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Vote Count Suit Filed". The Times of Northwest Indiana. May 12, 1976. p. 19. Archived from the original on January 15, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b "Recount Has Same Winner". The Times of Northwest Indiana. June 17, 1976. p. 35. Archived from the original on January 15, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Parties Switch Assembly Control". The Republic. November 3, 1976. p. 2. Archived from the original on January 15, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Legislature '74". The Times of Northwest Indiana. January 28, 1974. p. 24. Archived from the original on January 15, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Senators Selected". The Times of Northwest Indiana. December 15, 1974. p. 92. Archived from the original on January 15, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "NAACP Backs Boycott of Columbia Club". The Star Press. February 9, 1973. p. 7. Archived from the original on January 15, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "State Prison Inmates Hold Three". Journal & Courier. September 3, 1973. p. 1. Archived from the original on January 15, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "State Prison Siege Ends". The Tribune. September 3, 1973. p. 1. Archived from the original on January 15, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Bowen". Reporter Times. September 4, 1973. p. 9. Archived from the original on January 15, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Political Battles Emerge As Candidates File". The Times of Northwest Indiana. February 2, 1978. p. 17. Archived from the original on January 15, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Council Races Run True". The Times of Northwest Indiana. May 3, 1978. p. 22. Archived from the original on January 15, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b "Vote Count Continues". The Times of Northwest Indiana. May 4, 1978. p. 18. Archived from the original on January 15, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b "Demos Control Lake". The Times of Northwest Indiana. November 8, 1978. p. 18. Archived from the original on January 15, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b "Democrats hold Council". The Times of Northwest Indiana. November 3, 1982. p. 13. Archived from the original on January 15, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Relief Bond Bid Rapped". The Times of Northwest Indiana. September 7, 1979. p. 2. Archived from the original on January 15, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Clay a candidate". The Times of Northwest Indiana. January 8, 1984. p. 25. Archived from the original on January 15, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Hatcher-backed candidates are losing". The Herald. May 25, 1984. p. 16. Archived from the original on January 15, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Clay the winner". The Times of Northwest Indiana. May 9, 1984. p. 16. Archived from the original on January 15, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b "1984 election results". The Times of Northwest Indiana. November 7, 1984. p. 13. Archived from the original on January 15, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Lake officials sworn in". The Times of Northwest Indiana. January 1, 1985. p. 2. Archived from the original on January 15, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Councilman to resign". The Times of Northwest Indiana. December 16, 1984. p. 62. Archived from the original on January 15, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Lake candidates file for office". The Times of Northwest Indiana. February 5, 1986. p. 8. Archived from the original on January 15, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b "Vote total completed". The Times of Northwest Indiana. May 8, 1986. p. 1. Archived from the original on June 11, 2021. Retrieved June 11, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b "1986 election results". The Times of Northwest Indiana. November 5, 1986. p. 1. Archived from the original on June 11, 2021. Retrieved June 11, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Special council election set". The Times of Northwest Indiana. February 3, 1987. p. 20. Archived from the original on June 24, 2021. Retrieved June 16, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Clay will run for second county term". The Times of Northwest Indiana. October 11, 1989. p. 21. Archived from the original on June 24, 2021. Retrieved June 16, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Winners of county races in Indiana". Indianapolis News. November 7, 1990. p. 16. Archived from the original on June 24, 2021. Retrieved June 16, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Clay wins a chance at re-election". The Times of Northwest Indiana. May 4, 1994. p. B3. Archived from the original on January 10, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Ryskamp tops Galambos for County Council seat". The Times of Northwest Indiana. November 9, 1994. p. A3. Archived from the original on January 10, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Commissioner suing over look-alike foe". The Times of Northwest Indiana. March 27, 1998. p. B1. Archived from the original on January 12, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Look-alike candidate removed from ballot". The Times of Northwest Indiana. March 31, 1998. p. B1. Archived from the original on January 12, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Backing the boss". The Times of Northwest Indiana. April 8, 1998. p. A1. Archived from the original on January 12, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Clay wins commissioner's race". The Times of Northwest Indiana. May 6, 1998. p. A3. Archived from the original on January 12, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b "Election Results 1998". The Times of Northwest Indiana. May 8, 1998. p. A8. Archived from the original on January 12, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b "Election Results 1998". The Times of Northwest Indiana. November 6, 1998. p. A8. Archived from the original on January 12, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Man versus machine for nomination". The Times of Northwest Indiana. April 21, 2002. p. B1. Archived from the original on January 13, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Marrero removed from county ballot". The Times of Northwest Indiana. May 3, 2002. p. B6. Archived from the original on January 13, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Marrero removed from county ballot". The Times of Northwest Indiana. May 8, 2002. p. A5. Archived from the original on January 13, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Election 2002: Lake County Results". The Times of Northwest Indiana. November 6, 2002. p. A2. Archived from the original on January 13, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Hric calls Clay party 'traitor'". The Times of Northwest Indiana. January 4, 1987. p. 2. Archived from the original on January 10, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Clay's vote makes Niemeyer top commissioner". The Times of Northwest Indiana. January 5, 1994. p. B3. Archived from the original on January 10, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Clay, Niemeyer team up to head commissioners". The Times of Northwest Indiana. January 6, 1994. p. B6. Archived from the original on January 11, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Katic elected president of county board". The Times of Northwest Indiana. August 16, 1995. p. B5. Archived from the original on January 11, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Gunfire wounds Lake County official". The Daily Journal. December 9, 1986. p. 3. Archived from the original on June 11, 2021. Retrieved June 11, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Rudy Clay sworn in early to keep Spann from staying on". The Times of Northwest Indiana. December 12, 1986. p. 1. Archived from the original on June 11, 2021. Retrieved June 11, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Officials under attack". The Daily Journal. December 19, 1986. p. 1. Archived from the original on June 11, 2021. Retrieved June 11, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Pay phones may stay put". The Times of Northwest Indiana. July 13, 1998. p. A1. Archived from the original on January 12, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Phone execs: We paid Clay for contracts". The Times of Northwest Indiana. July 12, 1998. p. A1. Archived from the original on January 12, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "DeGuilio to FBI: Investigate Clay". The Times of Northwest Indiana. July 22, 1998. p. A1. Archived from the original on January 12, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Clay ally: Vendor paid for deal". The Times of Northwest Indiana. August 4, 1998. p. A1. Archived from the original on January 12, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Retraction". The Times of Northwest Indiana. October 3, 1998. p. A1. Archived from the original on January 12, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Lake County men to stay on ballot for convention". The Indianapolis Star. June 4, 1988. p. 2. Archived from the original on June 24, 2021. Retrieved June 16, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Delegate battle in court again". The Republic. June 7, 1988. p. 2. Archived from the original on June 24, 2021. Retrieved June 16, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Rivals from Gary to attend convention, back Jackson". Palladium-Item. June 23, 1988. p. 7. Archived from the original on June 24, 2021. Retrieved June 16, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Jesse's Lake County delegate battle resolved". The Times of Northwest Indiana. June 26, 1988. p. 16. Archived from the original on June 24, 2021. Retrieved June 16, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Vote". The Times of Northwest Indiana. December 3, 2000. p. A8. Archived from the original on January 12, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Clay to campaign for Obama in S.C." The Times of Northwest Indiana. January 17, 2008. p. A9. Archived from the original on January 14, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Local Democrats will head to Denver". The Times of Northwest Indiana. June 24, 2008. p. A4. Archived from the original on January 14, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Mayor supports Bayh as Obama's running mate". The Times of Northwest Indiana. July 17, 2008. p. A8. Archived from the original on January 15, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Battle brewing over Gary Democratic precinct post". The Times of Northwest Indiana. March 11, 1993. p. 14. Archived from the original on January 10, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Gary Dems will fill organization openings". The Times of Northwest Indiana. March 31, 1993. p. 14. Archived from the original on January 10, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Pastrick may drop '2% club'". The Times of Northwest Indiana. April 8, 1993. p. 24. Archived from the original on June 24, 2021. Retrieved June 16, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Gary Democrats choose Clay for four more years". The Times of Northwest Indiana. March 25, 1997. p. B3. Archived from the original on January 11, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Democrat no-shows sink Stiglich's hopes". The Times of Northwest Indiana. April 10, 2005. p. B8. Archived from the original on January 13, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Clay Wins Vote". The Times of Northwest Indiana. April 20, 2005. p. A1. Archived from the original on January 13, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "King: Pastrick swayed vote for new chair". The Times of Northwest Indiana. April 22, 2005. p. B9. Archived from the original on January 13, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Lake County Democratic chairman refuses demand". The Times of Northwest Indiana. March 15, 2007. p. A7. Archived from the original on January 14, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b "Hammond mayor wins party's vote". Journal & Courier. March 8, 2009. p. C4. Archived from the original on January 15, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Election". The Times of Northwest Indiana. May 3, 1999. p. A7. Archived from the original on January 12, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b "Clay plans for last days as Gary mayor". WBEZ. December 29, 2011. Archived from the original on January 13, 2024.
- ^ "Rudy Clay withdraws from Gary mayor's race". The Times of Northwest Indiana. February 22, 2003. p. B4. Archived from the original on January 13, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "King wins in Gary by landslide". The Times of Northwest Indiana. November 5, 2003. p. 6. Archived from the original on January 13, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Race is on for next Gary mayor". The Times of Northwest Indiana. March 24, 2006. p. A6. Archived from the original on January 13, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Clay enters the fold for Gary mayor job". The Times of Northwest Indiana. March 28, 2006. p. B5. Archived from the original on January 13, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b "Dem chairman picked by 2-vote margin". The Times of Northwest Indiana. April 5, 2006. p. A1. Archived from the original on January 13, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Clay still campaigning for commissioner's seat". The Times of Northwest Indiana. April 6, 2006. p. B1. Archived from the original on January 13, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Lake Pols Prepare For May Primaries". The Times of Northwest Indiana. January 16, 2006. p. A1. Archived from the original on January 13, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "2006 lake county results". The Times of Northwest Indiana. May 3, 2006. p. A11. Archived from the original on January 13, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b "2007 Gary, Indiana Democratic mayoral primary". The Times of Northwest Indiana. May 9, 2007. p. A7. Archived from the original on January 13, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b "2007 Gary, Indiana mayoral election". The Times of Northwest Indiana. November 8, 2007. p. A9. Archived from the original on January 13, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Gary Mayor Rudy Clay not seeking re-election". WBEZ. April 8, 2011. Archived from the original on January 13, 2024.
- ^ "Ex-Ind. AG wins Gary mayoral primary". WLS-TV. May 4, 2011. Archived from the original on January 13, 2024.
- ^ "Gary drops to 10th in 'dangerous' rank". The Times of Northwest Indiana. October 30, 2006. p. A1. Archived from the original on January 14, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Clay says he won't back down from district post". The Times of Northwest Indiana. February 8, 2008. p. A6. Archived from the original on January 14, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Gary Wants $400M Of Stimulus". The Times of Northwest Indiana. February 11, 2009. p. A4. Archived from the original on January 15, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Gary Renames Highway 20 After Former Mayor Rudy Clay". WBBM-TV. July 11, 2014. Archived from the original on January 15, 2024.
- ^ "Impeach Nixon". Reporter Times. August 9, 1974. p. 2. Archived from the original on January 15, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Opposes Food Stamp Price Raises". Rushville Republican. February 4, 1975. p. 2. Archived from the original on January 15, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Food Stamp". The Herald. February 8, 1975. p. 20. Archived from the original on January 15, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Indiana Senate Dooms ERA by 34-16 Vote". The Times of Northwest Indiana. April 2, 1973. p. 42. Archived from the original on January 15, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Election Law Eyed". The Times of Northwest Indiana. January 28, 1975. p. 9. Archived from the original on January 15, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "It's D-day for the Governor's Tax Bill". Reporter Times. February 6, 1973. p. 4. Archived from the original on January 15, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Senate OKs Wiretap Bill For Indiana". The Times of Northwest Indiana. March 28, 1973. p. 1. Archived from the original on January 15, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Kissing Backed". Indianapolis News. April 7, 1973. p. 4. Archived from the original on January 15, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Senator Favors 'Kissing' Visits At Reformatory". The Indianapolis Star. April 8, 1973. p. 26. Archived from the original on January 15, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Gary Senator Attacks McDaniel Proposal". Palladium-Item. October 21, 1973. p. 5. Archived from the original on January 15, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Clay seeks gun show ban". The Times of Northwest Indiana. May 25, 2000. p. A1. Archived from the original on January 12, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Senate Passes Antibusing Amendment Move". The Star Press. January 16, 1974. p. 17. Archived from the original on January 15, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Ambulance Bill Gains In Senate". The Times of Northwest Indiana. January 28, 1974. p. 7. Archived from the original on January 15, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.