Jaye Espy, continuing the political tradition of the Espy family.
Jaye Espy, sister of Mayor Chuck Espy, makes her first run for political office. An education consultant in Potomac, Maryland, she is running as a District 15 delegate for the Maryland General Assembly.
This continues the Espy family’s tradition as a leading political family. Her uncle, Mike Espy, served in Congress and was the Secretary of The U.S. Department of Agriculture. Her father, Henry Espy, was the first African-American mayor of Clarksdale, and her brother was a Mississippi State Legislator for sixteen years before becoming Clarksdale’s current mayor. A family great-grandfather also created Mississippi’s first hospital for African-Americans.
Former U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary, Mike Espy.
Jaye Espy came to the Washington D.C. area to attend Howard University. After working for the College Board in Atlanta, she again returned eight years ago to the U.S. Capitol area. She settled in Montgomery County Maryland, which attracted her because of the progressive school districts there.
Jaye worked in the Education Department in the Obama administration, and for a White House initiative on historically black colleges. She has also focused on increased opportunities in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math education for minority students.
Former Clarksdale Mayor, Henry Espy.
Espy, a divorced mother of two, says that education policy was a major factor in her decision to run for the Maryland General Assembly. She has also said ensuring that schools have sufficient resources to deal with mental health issuewill be a priority in her campaign.