Although a lifelong Democrat, Clarkson has received support from Republican organizations including the Parish Executive Committee of the Orleans Parish Republican Party. In 2008 she broke party ranks and supported Republican challenger Anh "Joseph" Cao in his longshot but successful bid to unseat Democratic incumbent William J. Jefferson from Louisiana's 2nd congressional district seat. Likeminded fellow Democratic Councilwoman Stacy Head found herself soon facing a recall petition. Clarkson, however, was not subjected to a recall effort; as councilwoman-at-large she represents a broader constituency, and she is more ingrained into the New Orleans political scene. In May 2009, as the New Orleans e-mail controversies intensified, Clarkson began publishing thousands of her e-mail messages online:  Councilmember, District C, 1994  Threshold > 50%  First Ballot, February 5, 1994  State Representative, 102nd Representative District, 1994  Threshold > 50%  First Ballot, October 1, 1994  Second Ballot, November 8, 1994  State Representative, 102nd Representative District, 1995  Threshold > 50%  First Ballot, October 21, 1995  Second Ballot, November 18, 1995  State Representative, 102nd Representative District, 1999  Threshold > 50%  First Ballot, October 23, 1999  Councilmember, District C, 2002  Threshold > 50%  First Ballot, February 2, 2002  Councilmember(s) at Large (2), 2006  Threshold > 25%  First Ballot, April 22, 2006  Second Ballot, May 20, 2006  Councilmember at Large, 2007  Threshold > 50%  First Ballot, October 20, 2007  First Ballot, November 17, 2007