For being one of the unluckiest guys in local politics, Clark Ray comes across as nothing short of hopelessly optimistic and perpetually motivated.

Though Ray has campaigned for the better part of a year to unseat three-term Council member Phil Mendelson (D-At Large) — and run a surprisingly agile campaign for a first-timer — Ray has been out-fundraised, out-endorsed and, most recently, seen his hopes for a competitive two-way contest dashed by a guy who many voters think is someone else. He didn’t even merit a mention in the City Paper’s recent endorsements. It’s enough to make anyone scream, or just give up on electoral politics all together.

Not so for Ray, who formerly served as Mayor Adrian Fenty’s director of the Department of Parks and Recreation. “Every day has been a learning experience,” said Ray of the campaign he launched a year ago that has raised close to $150,000 in funding. “I’ve always worked on campaigns,” he said over coffee in Adams Morgan earlier this week, pointing to his experience with Bill Clinton, Al Gore, Mayor Anthony Williams and Mayor Fenty. “But it’s completely different when you’re the candidate yourself.”