Karen Minnis

Karen Minnis
63rd Speaker of the Oregon House of Representatives
In office 2003–2006
Preceded by	Mark Simmons
Succeeded by	Jeff Merkley
Constituency	Multnomah County
Personal details
Born	July 1954 (age 62)
Political party	Republican
Spouse(s)	John Minnis
Residence	Fairview, Oregon
Profession	Politician

Karen Minnis (born July 1954) is an Oregon Republican politician in United States. She was a member of the Oregon House of Representatives from 1998 to 2009, and served as Speaker of the House from 2003 to 2006.

Born and raised in Portland, Minnis is a graduate of James Monroe High School in Portland and attended Clark Community College in Vancouver, Washington. She married her high school sweetheart, John Minnis, in 1972, with whom she has three children: two married sons and a daughter. They also have three grandsons and one granddaughter.

While a housewife, Minnis held jobs as a dental assistant, a waitress, and delivering newspapers, putting John through college. John first told Minnis he wanted to run for office when she was pregnant with their third child. She then worked as his legislative aide for a decade, an experience she credited with providing a valuable education in politics.

Karen ran for John's seat in the House in 1998, when he was forced out of office by newly enacted (and short-lived) term limits. He went on to serve in the Oregon State Senate.

Minnis served her fifth term in the House, during the 2007–2008 sessions. She represented District 49, which included the cities of Fairview, Troutdale, and Wood Village, and a portion of Gresham, in east Multnomah County. She served as Speaker during the 2003 and 2005 legislative sessions and the 2006 Special Session.

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