15 Facts About Karen Thurman

Karen Lee Loveland Thurman was born on January 12,1951 and is a former US Representative from Florida, serving five consecutive terms from 1993 to 2003.

Karen Thurman is a Democrat and served as chair of the Florida Democratic Party from 2005 to 2010.

Karen Thurman was born on January 12,1951, in Rapid City, South Dakota, but has spent most of her life in Florida.

Karen Thurman received her associate degree from Santa Fe College in Gainesville in 1970 and later her bachelor's degree in education from the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida in 1973.

Karen Thurman married John Patrick Thurman in Gainesville on June 9,1973.

Karen Thurman served as Mayor of Dunnellon from 1979 to 1981.

Karen Thurman served in the Florida State Senate from 1983 to 1993.

Karen Thurman was elected to the House from that district in 1992 and was reelected four more times with no serious opposition.

Karen Thurman was recognized as an expert on health, veterans, and tax issues.

Karen Thurman was only the sixth woman to serve on the House Ways and Means Committee.

Karen Thurman lost heavily Democratic Gainesville and surrounding Alachua County while picking up some heavily Republican territory between Tampa and Orlando.

Since Karen Thurman left office, the Democrats have cleared the 40 percent barrier in the district, now numbered as the 11th, only once.

In 2005 Karen Thurman was elected Chairman of the Florida Democratic Party, succeeding Chairman Scott Maddox, who resigned in order to seek the Democratic nomination for governor.

Karen Thurman resigned on November 12,2010, following the midterm elections.

Karen Thurman is a member of the ReFormers Caucus of Issue One.