Karen Carter Peterson
| Karen Carter Peterson | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Louisiana Senate from the 5th district |
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Assumed office 2010 |
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| Preceded by | Cheryl Gray Evans |
| Chair of the Louisiana Democratic Party | |
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Assumed office April 28, 2012 |
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| Preceded by | Buddy Leach |
| Member of the Louisiana House of Representatives from the 93rd district |
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In office 1999–2010 |
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| Preceded by | Avery Caesar Alexander |
| Succeeded by | Helena Moreno |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
November 1, 1969 New Orleans, Louisiana |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse(s) | Dana Peterson |
| Alma mater |
Howard University Tulane University |
| Profession | Attorney |
Karen Carter Peterson (born November 1, 1969) is a Democratic member of the Louisiana State Senate, having represented the 5th District since 2010. She is also the current Chair of the Louisiana Democratic Party. Peterson is the first woman to serve in this role. Since 2008, Peterson has served as Democratic National Committeewoman for Louisiana. Peterson previously served in the Louisiana House of Representatives.
Peterson was born and raised in New Orleans, the daughter of Ken and Gwen Carter. Her father was the first Black American to become Tax Assessor in New Orleans. Peterson graduated from Mercy Academy and in 1991 received a bachelor's degree in international business and marketing from Howard University in Washington, D.C. Peterson then returned to New Orleans to receive a law degree from Tulane University in 1995.
Peterson served as State Representative for district 93 from 1999 to 2010. Peterson served as House Speaker Pro Tempore from 2008 to 2010.
Peterson was a candidate for U.S. Congress in Louisiana's 2nd congressional district (map) in the mid-term election of November 2006. She, along with several other candidates, challenged incumbent Democrat Bill Jefferson, who was the subject of an FBI investigation. She finished in second place with 19,972 votes (21.6% of the total votes cast), and therefore she and Jefferson entered a runoff round of voting on December 9, 2006. Jefferson prevailed by a 57%-43% margin, the lowest since his original election in 1990.
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