Willie Clarke (politician)

Willie Clarke
Member ofNewry, Mourne and Down District Council
Incumbent
Assumed office 22 May 2014
Constituency	The Mournes
Member of the Legislative Assembly forSouth Down
In office 26 November 2003 – 13 April 2012
Preceded by	Eamon O'Neill
Succeeded by	Chris Hazzard
Personal details
Born	(1966-10-13)13 October 1966 Newcastle, County Down,Northern Ireland
Nationality	Irish
Political party	Sinn Féin
Website	Willie Clarke MLA

Willie Clarke(born 13 October 1966) is an IrishSinn Féinpolitician, serving as aNewry, Mourne and Down CouncillorforThe MournesDEA since2014. He was aMember of the Northern Ireland Assembly(MLA) forSouth Downfrom2003to 2012.

Career

Clarke was first elected toDown District Councilat the2001 election,representing theNewcastleDistrict.

He was elected to theNorthern Ireland Assemblyat the2003 electionforSouth Down.

Clarke retained his Council seat at the2005and2011local elections. He was also re-elected to the Assembly at the2011 election.

On 21 February 2012, he announced he would resign as an MLA to concentrate on his work as a Down District councillor. In April 2012, party colleagueChris Hazzardsucceeded him as MLA.

Clarke was later elected onto the successorNewry, Mourne and Down District Councilat the2014 local elections,as a representative forThe MournesDistrict, and was re-elected in2019and2023.