Karen Thurman
Karen Thurman | |
---|---|
Chair of the Florida Democratic Party | |
In office 2005–2010 | |
Preceded by | Scott Maddox |
Succeeded by | Rod Smith |
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Florida's 5th district | |
In office January 3, 1993 – January 3, 2003 | |
Preceded by | New Constituency (Redistricting) |
Succeeded by | Ginny Brown-Waite |
Member of the Florida Senate from the 4th district | |
In office January 1983 – January 1993 | |
Preceded by | Pat Thomas[1] |
Succeeded by | Charles Williams[2] |
Personal details | |
Born | Karen Lee Loveland January 12, 1951 Rapid City, South Dakota, U.S. |
Political party | Democratic |
Spouse |
John Patrick Thurman
(m. 1973) |
Children | 2 |
Alma mater | University of Florida |
Karen Lee Loveland Thurman
Early life and education
She was born on January 12, 1951, in Rapid City, South Dakota, but has spent most of her life in Florida. She 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. She married John Patrick Thurman in Gainesville on June 9, 1973.[3] They have two children, McLin (Macky) and Liberty Lee, and make their home in Dunnellon, Florida.
Early political career
Thurman was first elected to public office in 1974, when she won a seat on the city council of
Tenure in Congress
Florida gained three congressional districts after the 1990
Thurman was recognized as an expert on health, veterans, and tax issues. She was only the sixth woman to serve on the
After the
Post-congressional career
In 2005 Thurman was elected Chairman of the Florida Democratic Party (FDP), succeeding Chairman Scott Maddox, who resigned in order to seek the Democratic nomination for governor.[8] Thurman resigned on November 12, 2010, following the midterm elections.[6]
Thurman is a member of the ReFormers Caucus of Issue One.[9]
Personal
Her husband John Thurman was a Judge. She has two children; Macky and Liberty Thurman. She also has three grandchildren; Karlee, Madison and Lawson. {Liberty Thurman June 2023}
See also
References
- ^ "Our Campaigns - FL State Senate 04 Race - Nov 02, 1982".
- ^ "Our Campaigns - FL State Senate 4 Race - Nov 06, 1990".
- ^ a b "Thurman-Loveland". The Orlando Sentinel. June 10, 1973.
- ^ "Thurman makes transition from teacher to senator". Tampa Bay Times. June 13, 1983.
- ^ Congressional background
- ^ a b Resigned as chair of FDP Archived 2012-10-13 at the Wayback Machine
- St. Petersburg Times. Retrieved 2007-07-01.
- ^ Elected chair of FDP
- ^ "ReFormers Caucus". Issue One. Retrieved 2017-06-02.