Karen Minnis

Speaker of the Oregon House Karen Minnis (R-Wood Village) is serving her fourth term in the House, representing House District 49 which includes the cities of Fairview, Troutdale and Wood Village and a portion of Gresham, in East Multnomah County.

Speaker Minnis is the first speaker since 1993 to preside over the House in consecutive sessions, having served as speaker during the 2003 session. She served as house majority leader during the 2001 session. In addition, Speaker Minnis has served as chair of the Ways and Means Subcommittee on Education, the Ways and Means Subcommittee on Public Safety, and has served on the Emergency Board since her first term in 1999.

Born and raised in Portland, Speaker Karen Minnis has extensive legislative experience. Before election to her first term in 1998, she served for six terms as legislative assistant to State Representative John Minnis, her husband.

Speaker Minnis is a graduate of James Monroe High School, and has attended Clark Community College. Married since 1972, Representative Minnis and her husband have two sons and a daughter who all live in the Portland area.