Rudolph M. Clay Sr. (July 16, 1935June 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. 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 on the Lake County Council, as recorder of Lake County, and on the Lake County Commission. 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 Rudolph 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. Career Civil rights Clay 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. He worked as the public relations director for the United Viscounts, a civil rights organization in Gary, Indiana. Indiana Senate Elections Clay