Regina Clay Brings Decades of Leadership and Deep Community Ties to District 4 Council Race

As a young student in the Howard County Public School System, Regina Clay was chosen by her classmates to lead a group project before she even had a chance to volunteer. That early vote of confidence revealed something important: her peers trusted her.

“I didn’t think of it as leadership at the time,” she recalls. “I just wanted to make sure everyone’s ideas were heard and that we got it done together.”

From that moment, Clay learned that leadership isn’t about being in command. It’s about collaboration. It’s not about having all the answers, but knowing how to bring people together to find them. That early experience became a blueprint for her life of service — one that’s now led her to run for the District 4 Seat on the Howard County Council.

A Legacy of Service

For Clay, running for office is a continuation of a life deeply rooted in the community. A resident of Howard County for more than 50 years, she understands her community’s history, its challenges, and its potential.

“This community raised me. It gave me my first leadership experience as a child.," she says. "And now, I’m ready to give back at a new level with everything I’ve learned, and with the same spirit of inclusion and collaboration that’s guided me all my life.”

Professionally, she brings nearly three decades of leadership across government, nonprofit, and corporate spaces. She has served as Manager of External Affairs at CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, District Manager for the late Congressman Elijah Cummings, and Deputy Chief of Staff at the Maryland Department of Human Services.

“These roles taught me how to navigate complex systems, build coalitions, and advocate effectively,” she says. “But more importantly, they taught me how to listen, how to meet people where they are and move forward together.”

Clay’s extensive local involvement mirrors her professional trajectory. She’s served on the Wilde Lake Village Board, been a Columbia Association Representative, and held positions with the Howard County Chamber, Community Foundation of Howard County, and United Way’s Local RUN Board. Whether it’s grassroots organizing or high-level policy discussions, Clay is no stranger to rolling up her sleeves and getting things done.

As Pastor of Life Change AME Church, she leads with a heart for the people, walking beside them in moments of need and celebration, anchoring her leadership in empathy and spiritual conviction.

“I understand that people need to feel valued, seen, and heard. I strive to do that in all aspects of my life,” adds the mother of two young adults – Alisa, a Howard University graduate, and Antonio, a freshman at the University of Maryland, College Park.

Vision with Values

If elected, below are three top priorities Clay would focus on:

* Workforce Housing & Common-Sense Development
Clay is committed to expanding workforce housing to ensure that the people who serve the community can also afford to live in it. She envisions a smarter approach to development, one that respects neighborhood character, improves infrastructure, and maintains quality of life. “I hear it all the time – teachers, nurses, and even seniors who’ve lived here their whole lives are being priced out,” she says.

* Community Engagement & Transparency
Clay believes government should be something done with the people, not to them. “We can’t make good policy if we’re not listening,” she explains. Clay plans to hold regular town halls, create accessible channels for feedback, and ensure transparency in budget and planning processes. “People shouldn’t have to dig for information. It should come to them.”

* Economic Opportunity & Equity
In Clay’s vision, District 4 is a place where small businesses flourish and economic opportunity touches every zip code. She’ll advocate for business-friendly policies, workforce training, and equitable county investments, especially in historically underserved areas.

“We rise together,” she says.