Karen Minnis was born on July 1954 and is an Oregon Republican politician in United States.
11 Facts About Karen Minnis
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Karen Minnis was a member of the Oregon House of Representatives from 1998 to 2009, and served as Speaker of the House from 2003 to 2007.
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Karen Minnis married her high school sweetheart, John Minnis, in 1972, with whom she has three children: two married sons and a daughter.
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John first told Karen Minnis he wanted to run for office when she was pregnant with their third child.
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Karen Minnis then worked as his legislative aide for a decade, an experience she credited with providing a valuable education in politics.
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Karen Minnis ran for John's seat in the House in 1998, when he was forced out of office by newly enacted term limits.
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Karen Minnis went on to serve in the Oregon State Senate.
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Karen Minnis represented District 49, which included the cities of Fairview, Troutdale, and Wood Village, and a portion of Gresham, in east Multnomah County.
9.
Karen Minnis served as Speaker during the 2003 and 2005 legislative sessions and the 2006 Special Session.
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Karen Minnis was first elected to the House in 1998 and served as House majority leader from 2001 to 2003.
11.
Karen Minnis was succeeded in District 49 by Democrat Nick Kahl, who won a closely contested election in November 2008; Democrat Jeff Merkley succeeded her as House Speaker.