Karan English
Encyclopedia
Karan English served in the U.S. House of Representatives of the 103rd United States Congress
from 1993 to 1995.
A Democrat
, English represented Arizona
's 6th Congressional District, which in the 1990s included much of Mesa
, Scottsdale
and northeast Arizona. Prior to her election to the U.S. House of Representatives, English served as an Arizona State Senator
(1991–1993), State Representative
(1987–1991), and Coconino County
supervisor (1981–1987). In the Arizona senate, English developed a reputation as a liberal
on fiscal, social and environmental issues.
Despite being heavily outspent during her campaign, English won her 1992 General Election race against Republican
Doug Wead
after being endorsed by former U.S. Senator Barry Goldwater
. Goldwater said he thought Wead was out of touch with Arizona because of his relatively brief residency in the state — two years to English's 22. Wead countered that Goldwater's support of abortion rights spurred the unexpected crossing of party lines. English may have also benefited from Democratic Party momentum in 1992, which was the year of Bill Clinton
's first presidential election victory. Clinton came within a few percentage points of winning Arizona, and two other Democratic Representatives (Ed Pastor
and Sam Coppersmith
) were elected along with English to give Democrats the majority of the state's House delegation.
She was the second woman to represent Arizona in Congress, with Isabella Selmes Greenway
(1933–1937) being the first.
After serving a single term in Congress, English was defeated by Republican challenger J.D. Hayworth in 1994.
She is now involved with the Center for Sustainable Environments at Northern Arizona University
.
103rd United States Congress
- House of Representatives :- Leadership :- Senate :* President: Dan Quayle , until January 20, 1993** Al Gore , from January 20, 1993* President pro tempore: Robert Byrd - Majority leadership :* Majority Leader: George Mitchell...
from 1993 to 1995.
A Democrat
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
, English represented Arizona
Arizona
Arizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...
's 6th Congressional District, which in the 1990s included much of Mesa
Mesa, Arizona
According to the 2010 Census, the racial composition of Mesa was as follows:* White: 77.1% * Hispanic or Latino : 26.54%* Black or African American: 3.5%* Two or more races: 3.4%* Native American: 2.4%...
, Scottsdale
Scottsdale, Arizona
Scottsdale is a city in the eastern part of Maricopa County, Arizona, United States, adjacent to Phoenix. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, as of 2010 the population of the city was 217,385...
and northeast Arizona. Prior to her election to the U.S. House of Representatives, English served as an Arizona State Senator
Arizona Senate
The Arizona Senate is part of the Arizona Legislature, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Arizona. The Senate consists of 30 members representing an equal amount of constituencies across the state, with each district having average populations of 219,859 . Members serve two-year terms with...
(1991–1993), State Representative
Arizona House of Representatives
The Arizona House of Representatives is the lower house of the Arizona Legislature, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Arizona. Its members are elected to two-year terms with a term limit of four consecutive terms...
(1987–1991), and Coconino County
Coconino County, Arizona
-2010:Whereas according to the 2010 U.S. Census Bureau:*61.7% White*1.2% Black*27.3% Native American*1.4% Asian*0.1% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander*3.1% Two or more races*5.2% Other races*13.5% Hispanic or Latino -2000:...
supervisor (1981–1987). In the Arizona senate, English developed a reputation as a liberal
Liberalism
Liberalism is the belief in the importance of liberty and equal rights. Liberals espouse a wide array of views depending on their understanding of these principles, but generally, liberals support ideas such as constitutionalism, liberal democracy, free and fair elections, human rights,...
on fiscal, social and environmental issues.
Despite being heavily outspent during her campaign, English won her 1992 General Election race against Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
Doug Wead
Doug Wead
Doug Wead is a presidential historian, philanthropist and public speaker. He was Special Assistant to U.S. President George H. W. Bush, and is the author of more than thirty books, including the New York Times best-seller All the Presidents’ Children: Triumph and Tragedy in the Lives of the First...
after being endorsed by former U.S. Senator Barry Goldwater
Barry Goldwater
Barry Morris Goldwater was a five-term United States Senator from Arizona and the Republican Party's nominee for President in the 1964 election. An articulate and charismatic figure during the first half of the 1960s, he was known as "Mr...
. Goldwater said he thought Wead was out of touch with Arizona because of his relatively brief residency in the state — two years to English's 22. Wead countered that Goldwater's support of abortion rights spurred the unexpected crossing of party lines. English may have also benefited from Democratic Party momentum in 1992, which was the year of Bill Clinton
Bill Clinton
William Jefferson "Bill" Clinton is an American politician who served as the 42nd President of the United States from 1993 to 2001. Inaugurated at age 46, he was the third-youngest president. He took office at the end of the Cold War, and was the first president of the baby boomer generation...
's first presidential election victory. Clinton came within a few percentage points of winning Arizona, and two other Democratic Representatives (Ed Pastor
Ed Pastor
Edward Lopez "Ed" Pastor is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 1991. He is a member of the Democratic Party.The district includes most of southern, western, and downtown Phoenix, along with a portion of Glendale....
and Sam Coppersmith
Sam Coppersmith
Samuel G. "Sam" Coppersmith is a former Democratic United States Congressman from Arizona from 1993 to 1995....
) were elected along with English to give Democrats the majority of the state's House delegation.
She was the second woman to represent Arizona in Congress, with Isabella Selmes Greenway
Isabella Greenway
Isabella Selmes Ferguson Greenway King is best known as the first U.S. congresswoman in Arizona history, and as the founder of the Arizona Inn of Tucson...
(1933–1937) being the first.
After serving a single term in Congress, English was defeated by Republican challenger J.D. Hayworth in 1994.
She is now involved with the Center for Sustainable Environments at Northern Arizona University
Northern Arizona University
Northern Arizona University is a public university located in Flagstaff, Arizona, United States. It is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, and has 39 satellite campuses in the state of Arizona. The university offers both undergraduate and graduate degrees.As of...
.