Mr. Clay claimed to be Indiana's first African-American state senator, was Lake County's first black recorder, and was a county commissioner before becoming mayor of Gary in 2006 following a special election. He was elected to a full term the following year. He was the first African-American elected to the Indiana Senate in 1972, serving one term, and was a longtime county commissioner.
In April of 2011 he announced he was diagnosed with cancer and would not seek re-election.
Mr. Clay claimed to be Indiana's first African-American state senator, was Lake County's first black recorder, and was a county commissioner before becoming mayor of Gary in 2006 following a special election. He was elected to a full term the following year. He was the first African-American elected to the Indiana Senate in 1972, serving one term, and was a longtime county commissioner.
In April of 2011 he announced he was diagnosed with cancer and would not seek re-election.
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