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Irma Clark-Coleman

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Irma Clark-Coleman
Image of Irma Clark-Coleman

Democratic Party

Prior offices
Michigan House of Representatives District 11
Michigan State Senate District 3
Successor: Morris Hood
Wayne County Commission District 5

Education

Bachelor's

Wayne State University

Graduate

Wayne State University, 1987

Personal
Birthplace
Wrens, Ga.
Religion
Non-denominational Christian
Profession
Commissioner
Contact

Campaign Twitter

Personal Instagram

Personal LinkedIn

Irma Clark-Coleman (Democratic Party) was a member of the Wayne County Commission in Michigan, representing District 5. She assumed office in 2011. She left office on June 10, 2025.

Clark-Coleman (Democratic Party) ran for re-election to the Wayne County Commission to represent District 5 in Michigan. She won in the general election on November 5, 2024.

Clark-Coleman completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Irma Clark-Coleman was born in Wrens, Georgia. She earned a bachelor's degree from Wayne State University and a master's degree from Wayne State University in 1987. She worked for the Wayne County government for 31 years, retiring in 1998 as the director of human relations. She also worked as a public relations director for the Wayne County Road Commission, media relations director for Wayne County Executive Bill Lucas, and press secretary for Wayne County Executive Ed McNamara.[1]

Clark-Coleman has been affiliated with the following organizations:[1]

  • The Michigan and National Democratic Party
  • NAACP
  • Living Waters Church
  • Alpha Rho Omega Chapter of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

Elections

2024

See also: Municipal elections in Wayne County, Michigan (2024)

General election

General election for Wayne County Commission District 5

Incumbent Irma Clark-Coleman defeated Stephen Boyle in the general election for Wayne County Commission District 5 on November 5, 2024.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Irma Clark-Coleman
Irma Clark-Coleman (D) Candidate Connection
 
95.2
 
50,597
Image of Stephen Boyle
Stephen Boyle (G) Candidate Connection
 
4.1
 
2,156
 Other/Write-in votes
 
0.8
 
401

Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 53,154
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Wayne County Commission District 5

Incumbent Irma Clark-Coleman defeated Steven Lett in the Democratic primary for Wayne County Commission District 5 on August 6, 2024.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Irma Clark-Coleman
Irma Clark-Coleman Candidate Connection
 
90.6
 
16,042
Silhouette Placeholder Image.png
Submit photo
Steven Lett
 
8.8
 
1,562
 Other/Write-in votes
 
0.6
 
102

Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 17,706
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Endorsements

Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Clark-Coleman in this election.

2022

See also: Municipal elections in Wayne County, Michigan (2022)

General election

General election for Wayne County Commission District 5

Incumbent Irma Clark-Coleman won election in the general election for Wayne County Commission District 5 on November 8, 2022.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Irma Clark-Coleman
Irma Clark-Coleman (D)
 
99.5
 
37,845
 Other/Write-in votes
 
0.5
 
202

Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 38,047
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Wayne County Commission District 5

Incumbent Irma Clark-Coleman defeated LaTanya Garrett, Steven Lett, E'yandra Otis, and Gary Hunter in the Democratic primary for Wayne County Commission District 5 on August 2, 2022.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Irma Clark-Coleman
Irma Clark-Coleman
 
61.8
 
10,326
Image of LaTanya Garrett
LaTanya Garrett
 
23.4
 
3,911
Silhouette Placeholder Image.png
Submit photo
Steven Lett
 
5.4
 
902
Image of E'yandra Otis
E'yandra Otis Candidate Connection
 
4.7
 
793
Silhouette Placeholder Image.png
Submit photo
Gary Hunter
 
4.2
 
705
 Other/Write-in votes
 
0.4
 
59

Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 16,696
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

2020

See also: Municipal elections in Wayne County, Michigan (2020)

General election

General election for Wayne County Commission District 5

Incumbent Irma Clark-Coleman won election in the general election for Wayne County Commission District 5 on November 3, 2020.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Irma Clark-Coleman
Irma Clark-Coleman (D) Candidate Connection
 
99.4
 
45,082
 Other/Write-in votes
 
0.6
 
274

Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 45,356
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Wayne County Commission District 5

Incumbent Irma Clark-Coleman defeated LaTanya Garrett, Wendell Byrd, Michelle Broughton, and Thamar Johnson in the Democratic primary for Wayne County Commission District 5 on August 4, 2020.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Irma Clark-Coleman
Irma Clark-Coleman Candidate Connection
 
50.6
 
10,730
Image of LaTanya Garrett
LaTanya Garrett
 
27.8
 
5,893
Image of Wendell Byrd
Wendell Byrd
 
14.2
 
3,016
Silhouette Placeholder Image.png
Submit photo
Michelle Broughton
 
4.3
 
911
Silhouette Placeholder Image.png
Submit photo
Thamar Johnson
 
2.6
 
560
 Other/Write-in votes
 
0.4
 
81

Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 21,191
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

2018

See also: Municipal elections in Wayne County, Michigan (2018)

General election

General election for Wayne County Commission District 5

Incumbent Irma Clark-Coleman won election in the general election for Wayne County Commission District 5 on November 6, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Irma Clark-Coleman
Irma Clark-Coleman (D)
 
99.2
 
33,929
 Other/Write-in votes
 
0.8
 
273

Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 34,202
(100.00% precincts reporting)
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Wayne County Commission District 5

Incumbent Irma Clark-Coleman defeated Michelle Broughton and Thamar Johnson in the Democratic primary for Wayne County Commission District 5 on August 7, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Irma Clark-Coleman
Irma Clark-Coleman
 
76.4
 
12,464
Silhouette Placeholder Image.png
Submit photo
Michelle Broughton
 
15.6
 
2,552
Silhouette Placeholder Image.png
Submit photo
Thamar Johnson
 
7.9
 
1,291

Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 16,307
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

2010

Clark-Coleman was not eligible for re-election due to Michigan's term limits.

2006

On November 7, 2006, Clark-Coleman ran for District 3 of the Michigan State Senate, beating Paul Sophiea.[2]

Clark-Coleman raised $86,907 for her campaign.[3]

Michigan State Senate, District 3
Candidates Votes
Green check mark transparent.png

Irma Clark-Coleman (D)

58,063
Paul Sophiea (R) 12,353

Campaign themes

2024

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Candidate Connection

Irma Clark-Coleman completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Clark-Coleman's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Expand all | Collapse all

Previously served 7 years on Detroit School Board; 4 years as Michigan State Representative; 8 years as Michigan State Senator and 14 years as Wayne County Commissioner.
  • Complete Transparency, Accountability High Integrity and Quality Performance.
  • Communicate With Residents
  • Be A Problem Solver For Residents
Neighborhood Improvement
President Barack Obama became of his intellect, compassion and integrity.
N/A
Honestly and Integrity!
Hard Working and trustworthy.
Hard Work, Dedicated To Your Community and Available to the Residents.
I left my community much better than I found it. That I proved to be trustworthy.
Graduated From College
J. L.Hudson Department Store
5 years
The Bible teaches me to live a loving, faithful and honest life.
Superwoman
Black National Anthem
Overcoming barriers associated with being an African American Female.
N/A
Many labor, elected officials, clergy and community leaders.
Complete Transparency and Financial Accountability.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

2022

Irma Clark-Coleman did not complete Ballotpedia's 2022 Candidate Connection survey.

2020

Candidate Connection

Irma Clark-Coleman completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2020. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Clark-Coleman's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Expand all | Collapse all

Irma Clark-Coleman was first elected to the Wayne County Commission in 2009 after serving for 8 years in the Michigan Senate. Prior to the Senate, she served for two terms in the Michigan House of Representatives. Commissioner Clark-Coleman moved to Detroit from her small rural birthplace in Georgia. She attended Pershing High School and was the first in her family to graduate from college, earning both bachelor and masters degrees from Wayne State University. In 1967, Clark-Coleman began working for the Wayne County Road Commission as a stenographer, retiring in 2010 as Human Relations Director. For the last 7 of her 31 years of employment with the county, she simultaneously served on the Detroit Board of Education. On February 2015 through October 2018, she served on the 7-member Detroit Wayne County Metro Airport Authority Board which manages & operates Detroit Metro & Willow Run Airports. Commissioner Clark-Coleman chairs the Public Safety Committee and is a member of Audit & Government Operations Committees and a member of the Wayne County Land Bank. She also chairs the Community Corrections Advisory Board.
  • Financial experience is key to solving a projected $152 million deficit due to unexpected economic impact of COVID-19.
  • Strong leadership is essential in preserving neighborhoods and crafting progressive programs to keep families in their homes.
  • Creating jobs for residents by developing job skill programs and supporting struggling small businesses with new loan & grant programs.
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, health officials have noted that African Americans appear to face greater risk for infection and death. These factors include poverty, access to adequate medical care, lack of opportunity to work from home and other underlying health conditions. We continue to fight for equality in testing, treatment and care. In addition, county health officials are working hard every day to assure our essential workers and first responders have the protective equipment they need to safely perform their duties.
Wayne County Commissioners are less partisan and more collaboration can be achieved without party bickering.
I Possess Strong Leadership Skills, High Level of Integrity, Highly Intellectual and Deeply Committed To Public Service.
To be the best public official possible.
I participated in the Martin Luther King March down Woodward Avenue in the sixties as a member of the Young Adult Division of the NAACP.
My first job was with the J. L. Hudson Company as a Buyer's Clerk. I worked there for four and a half years.
The Holy Bible. It provides me with a framework to live my life.
I have struggled with the ability to resolve all problems presented to me.
It would be extremely helpful to have financial, legislative, human resources and communicative skills.
It is absolutely beneficial to have previous legislative experience in order to understand our role in government and be knowledgable of the process of how to get the job done. That might explain why 10 out of the 15 Wayne County Commissioners are either former Legislators, City Clerk, or Mayor.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

Campaign finance summary

Ballotpedia currently provides campaign finance data for all federal- and state-level candidates from 2020 and later. We are continuously working to expand our data to include prior elections. That information will be published here as we acquire it. If you would like to help us provide this data, please consider donating to Ballotpedia.

See also

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External links

Candidate

Wayne County Commission District 5
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    Footnotes

    1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on July 11, 2020.
    2. ↑ Michigan Secretary of State, "Election Results - General Election - November 07, 2006," accessed May 30, 2014
    3. ↑ Follow the Money's report on Clark-Coleman's 2008 campaign contributions

    Political offices
    Preceded by
    -     		Wayne County Commission District 5
    2011-2025    		 Succeeded by
    Angelique Nicole Peterson-Mayberry
    Preceded by
    -     		Michigan State Senate District 3
    2003-2011    		 Succeeded by
    Morris Hood (D)
    Preceded by
    -     		Michigan House of Representatives District 11
    1999-2003    		 Succeeded by
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