Jacquelyn Brechtel Clarkson was elected as Councilmember-at-Large in a special election on November 17, 2007.

Councilmember-at-Large Clarkson has served the citizens of New Orleans for over sixteen years. Since the Mayor-Council form of government was enacted in 1954, she is the first councilmember to be elected to three non-consecutive terms. In 1990 and 2002, Councilmember Clarkson represented Council District "C."

She is a former Louisiana legislator, representing District 102 in the Louisiana House of Representatives from 1994 - 2002. As a State Representative, she was recognized for her leadership, championing landmark legislation that focused on ethics and government reform, women's healthcare, fiscal reform, education, child protection, law enforcement, and neighborhood preservation.

In addition to her work in government, she is a licensed Realtor and has been a businesswoman for over thirty-eight years. In that capacity she served as president of the Louisiana Realtor Association.

Clarkson has also been a strong and active member of numerous civic organizations including, Founding Member, National World War II Museum; Board Member, University of New Orleans Board for Business and Higher Education; Board of Governors, Le Petit Theatre du Vieux Carre; Board Member, Cabrini High School; Board Member, Catholic Cultural and Heritage Center of New Orleans; Board Member, Overture to the Cultural Season; Board Member, GNO Young Audiences; Member, New Orleans Military Advisory Committee; Member, New Orleans Federal Alliance for Federal City; Member, LSU/Tulane Cancer Research Center Consortium, Advisory Board, Delgado Community College; Board of Ambassadors, Holy Cross College; Advisory Board, Louisiana Philharmonic; Advisory Board, NORD/NOBA Ballet; Member, Save Our Cemeteries; Member, Audubon Institute; Former Trustee, New Orleans Museum of Art.

Jacquelyn Brechtel Clarkson, a native of Algiers, and her husband, Buzz, have raised five successful daughters, including Emmy-award winning actress, Patricia Clarkson, and they have ten grandchildren. Granddaughter Cassie Alsfeld is the president of the Louisiana State University student body. Councilmember Clarkson is the daughter of the late New Orleans legendary coach Johnny Brechtel, founder of the New Orleans Recreation Department.