Kathy Karpan
Kathy Karpan (born September 1, 1942) is an American politician from the U.S. state of Wyoming, who served as the last Democratic Wyoming Secretary of State from 1987 to 1995.
Kathy Karpan | |
---|---|
17th Secretary of State of Wyoming | |
In office January 5, 1987 – January 2, 1995 | |
Governor | Mike Sullivan |
Preceded by | Thyra Thomson |
Succeeded by | Diana Ohman |
Personal details | |
Born | Rock Springs, Wyoming, U.S. | September 1, 1942
Political party | Democratic |
Education | University of Wyoming (BA, MA) University of Oregon (JD) |
Background
Kathy Karpan was born on September 1, 1942, to Thomas and Pauline Karpan in Rock Springs, Wyoming, the first of their children.[1] Tragically, her father, was injured in a cave-in and later the Union Pacific Railroad switched to diesel from coal, "nearly killing Rock Springs" according to Karpan and the family moved to Rawlins in 1952. Two years later her mother and Thomas considered placing the children into adoption and was only stopped after being implored by Kathy.[1] Kathy graduated from high school in 1960 and went to the University of Wyoming with a scholarship. Karpan changed her major to journalism and served as editor of The Branding Iron during the spring and fall of 1963 when she met President Kennedy and the spring of 1964. She earned a bachelor's degree in 1974 and a master's degree in 1975 and then went on to earn a J.D. degree from the University of Oregon in 1978.[2]
Political career
In 1986 the sitting Secretary of State, Thyra Thomson, chose to not seek reelection. Karpan won the election and would win reelection in 1990. Karpan did not seek reelection in 1994 and instead chose to run for governor where she lost 58.70% to 40.20%.
References
Political offices | ||
---|---|---|
Preceded by Thyra Thomson |
Secretary of State of Wyoming 1987–1995 |
Succeeded by Diana Ohman |
Party political offices | ||
Preceded by Mike Sullivan |
Democratic nominee for Governor of Wyoming 1994 |
Succeeded by John Vinich |
Preceded by Kathy Helling |
Democratic nominee for U.S. Senator from Wyoming (Class 2) 1996 |
Succeeded by Joyce Corcoran |