This is Clayton!

I am Earnest “Clayton” Clayton, born and raised in Port Arthur, Texas, by a strong single mother who taught me that faith, family, and hard work can overcome anything. Growing up in a working-class city where many families lived below the poverty line, I learned early the power of resilience and community.

I began my career in public health, serving Houston communities to confront inequities that affect everyday families. My work supported Black, Hispanic, and Brown communities, mixed-status households, and the LGBTQ+ community, while addressing women’s health and the rising rates of maternal mortality. These experiences showed me how deeply public policy shapes health and opportunity, and they strengthened my commitment to creating lasting change.

Later, I carried that same passion into education, teaching Health Science and preparing students for life beyond graduation. Even while teaching, I continued my work in public health and policy to expand access to care, promote equity, and strengthen communities across Houston.

From public health to education and policy, my purpose has always been to serve, uplift, and build pathways toward a better future for all.

I am the first in my family to pursue a terminal degree, a journey that deepened my commitment to leadership, education, and public service. My experience in higher education and public health has taught me how opportunity and access can transform lives and why those opportunities must be protected and expanded for others.

For more than twenty years, I have worked at the intersection of health, infrastructure, and policy, addressing the issues that shape everyday life. From advancing equitable health programs and strengthening community partnerships to supporting schools and neighborhoods with limited resources, I have focused on creating systems that work for people, not against them.

I have seen what strong and compassionate leadership can accomplish, and I have also seen what happens when communities are left behind. That is why I am running: to bring every voice to the table, ensure equity and dignity for all, and remind District 9 that our greatest strength lies in our unity.

When we put people before politics, we build healthier, safer, and stronger communities together.