Kathy Karpan

Kathleen Marie Karpan[3] (born September 1, 1942) is an American politician who served as Secretary of State of Wyoming from 1987 to 1995, as a member of the Democratic Party. Prior to her tenure, she served as a congressional staffer, campaign manager, and assistant attorney general. Following her tenure as Secretary of State of Wyoming, she received the Democratic nomination for Governor and United States Senate.

Kathy Karpan
Director of the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement
In office
August 4, 1997 – April 10, 2000
Preceded byKay Henry
Succeeded byKay Henry
17th Secretary of State of Wyoming
In office
January 5, 1987[1] – January 2, 1995[2]
GovernorMike Sullivan
Preceded byThyra Thomson
Succeeded byDiana Ohman
Personal details
Born (1942-09-01) September 1, 1942
Rock Springs, Wyoming, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
EducationUniversity of Wyoming (BA, MA)
University of Oregon (JD)
Signature

Karpan was born and raised in Rock Springs, Wyoming, and was educated at the University of Wyoming and the University of Oregon. In the 1960s, Karpan worked for Representative Teno Roncalio and later served as a campaign manager for Rodger McDaniel during the 1982 United States Senate election in Wyoming. In the 1980s, Karpan worked in the United States Department of Commerce and the office of the Wyoming Attorney General, and served as director of the Wyoming Department of Health and Social Services.

From 1987 to 1995, Karpan served as Secretary of State of Wyoming. In the 1994 gubernatorial and 1996 Senate elections, she secured the Democratic nominations but lost to Republicans Jim Geringer and Mike Enzi, respectively. In 1997, Karpan was appointed by President Bill Clinton, whose presidential campaigns she supported, to serve as the first female director of the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, where she served from 1997 to 2000. After leaving office, Karpan supported and was active in multiple Democratic presidential and state campaigns.

Early life
Kathy Karpan in 1960

Kathleen Marie Karpan was born in Rock Springs, Wyoming, on September 1, 1942, to Thomas and Pauline Karpan. In 1960, she graduated from Rawlins High School. She earned a bachelor's degree in journalism from the University of Wyoming in 1964, and later graduated with a master's degree in American studies in 1975. In 1978, Karpan graduated with a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Oregon School of Law.[4][5]

Career

During Wyoming's 1964 House of Representatives election, Karpan served as an officer of the Wyoming Students for Teno Roncalio for Congress, a public relations committee supporting Roncalio's campaign.[6] After Roncalio was elected, he appointed Karpan as his staff assistant.[7] She served as Roncalio's press secretary for four years and as his chief of staff for two years.[5] During the 1982 Senate election, she served as campaign manager for Rodger McDaniel, but McDaniel was defeated by incumbent Republican Senator Malcolm Wallop.[8][9] She supported Senator Gary Hart during the 1984 Democratic presidential primaries, and served as a delegate for Hart to the Democratic National Convention.[10][11]

From 1979 to 1981, Karpan worked as an attorney in the Economic Development Administration of the United States Department of Commerce, and as an assistant attorney general in the office of the Wyoming Attorney General from 1983 to 1984.[5] Karpan served as director of the Wyoming Department of Health and Social Services from December 1984, until her resignation on June 5, 1986. She was succeeded by Lawrence Cohen.[12][13]

Secretary of State

Karpan announced that she would seek the Democratic nomination for Secretary of State of Wyoming in 1986, and selected H. L. Jensen and Teno Roncalio's wife to serve as the co-chairs of her campaign.[14][15] She won the Democratic nomination without opposition after spending $13,832.[16] In the general election Karpan defeated Republican nominee K. C. Thomson, who was the son of incumbent Secretary of State Thyra Thomson.[17][18]

On April 25, 1990, Karpan announced that she was seeking a second term as Secretary of State.[19] She faced no opposition in the Democratic primary and defeated Republican nominee Tom Zollinger after spending $56,441 against Zollinger's $24,745.[20][21][22]

During the 1988 presidential election, Karpan endorsed Tennessee Senator Al Gore for the Democratic presidential nomination.[23] During the 1992 Democratic presidential primaries, she endorsed Arkansas Governor Bill Clinton for the party's nomination. On November 1, 1992, Governor Mike Sullivan and Karpan published a letter calling for Wyoming voters to support Clinton. They criticized President George H. W. Bush for his negative campaign tactics, such as the Willie Horton ad during the 1988 presidential election.[24][25]

On January 2, 1995, Republican Diana Ohman was sworn in to succeed Karpan as Secretary of State of Wyoming.[2]

Gubernatorial and senatorial campaigns

In 1994, Karpan met with representatives of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee to consider running for United States Senate.[26] She announced that she would seek the Democratic nomination in the gubernatorial election on April 18.[27] She faced no opposition in the Democratic primary and lost in the general election to Republican nominee Jim Geringer.[28][29]

In 1996, a poll paid for by the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee showed Karpan leading John Barrasso, Dan Sullivan, and Eli Bebout in that year's United States Senate election. The poll also showed that she had name recognition among 92% of people and was viewed by 81% of people as an effective public servant.[30] On April 3, Karpan informally announced that she would seek the Democratic nomination for United States Senate seat that was held by retiring Republican Senator Alan Simpson. She formally announced her campaign on June 24.[31] During the campaign, Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle and Senator Bob Kerrey campaigned for Karpan, and she received an A rating from the National Rifle Association.[32][33][34] She won the Democratic nomination against Mickey Kalinay, and was defeated in the general election by Republican nominee Mike Enzi.[35][36] Karpan raised $927,949 and ended with $24,919 during the campaign while Enzi had raised $911,153 and ended his campaign with $121,587 and $29,000 in debt.[37]

Later life

On May 6, 1997, President Bill Clinton selected Karpan to serve as director of the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement. The United States Senate confirmed her by a unanimous vote on July 31.[38][39] Karpan was the first woman to serve as director of the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement.[40] She served from August 4, 1997, to April 10, 2000.[41]

In 1995, Karpan was appointed to serve as interim Laramie County attorney to replace Roberta Coates, who resigned.[42] During the 2002 Wyoming gubernatorial election, Karpan endorsed Paul Hickey for the Democratic nomination.[43] She supported Hillary Clinton during the 2008 and 2016 Democratic presidential primaries.[44][45] Karpan served as a Hillary Clinton delegate from Wyoming to the Democratic National Convention during the 2008 Democratic presidential primaries.[46] During the 2010 Wyoming gubernatorial election, Karpan served as co-chair of Leslie Peterson's gubernatorial campaign alongside Joe Evans.[47] In 2016, Karpan served as the state chair of Ryan Greene's House of Representatives campaign.[48]

Electoral history
1986 Wyoming Secretary of State election[18]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Kathy Karpan 86,449 53.59%
Republican K. C. Thomson 74,880 46.41%
Total votes 161,329 100.00%
1990 Wyoming Secretary of State election[21]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Kathy Karpan (incumbent) 100,676 64.30%
Republican Tom Zollinger 55,893 35.70%
Total votes 156,569 100.00%
1994 Wyoming gubernatorial election[29]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Jim Geringer 118,016 58.72%
Democratic Kathy Karpan 80,747 40.17%
Libertarian Seaghan Uibreaslain 2,227 1.11%
Total votes 200,990 100.00%
1996 Wyoming United States Senate Democratic primary[35]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Kathy Karpan 32,419 86.07%
Democratic Mickey Kalinay 5,245 13.93%
Total votes 37,664 100.00%
1996 Wyoming United States Senate election[36]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Mike Enzi 114,116 54.06%
Democratic Kathy Karpan 89,103 42.21%
Libertarian David Herbert 5,289 2.51%
Natural Law Lloyd Marsden 2,569 1.22%
Total votes 211,077 100.00%

References
  1. "Sullivan takes oath Monday". Billings Gazette. January 5, 1987. p. 1. Archived from the original on September 23, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. "Ohman sworn in". Billings Gazette. January 3, 1995. p. 9. Archived from the original on September 24, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. "Kathleen Marie Karpan Papers". Archived from the original on September 27, 2020.
  4. "Kathy Karpan". Wyoming Blue Book. Archived from the original on September 22, 2020.
  5. "Kathy Karpan Life". Casper Star-Tribune. November 3, 1986. p. 19. Archived from the original on September 22, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. "Students Organize Roncalio Committee". Casper Star-Tribune. May 7, 1964. p. 2. Archived from the original on September 22, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. "Cody Newshen Is Named to Roncalio Staff". Casper Star-Tribune. November 18, 1964. p. 11. Archived from the original on September 22, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. "Wallop unable to attend annual wildlife meeting". Casper Star-Tribune. February 20, 1982. p. 11. Archived from the original on September 22, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. "Wyoming voters split tickets". Casper Star-Tribune. November 4, 1982. p. 1. Archived from the original on September 27, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. "Delegates say Mondale must display leadership". Casper Star-Tribune. July 20, 1984. p. 1. Archived from the original on September 22, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. "Wyoming delegates say it's still possible for Hart to win today". Casper Star-Tribune. February 20, 1982. p. 11. Archived from the original on September 22, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  12. "Welfare chief resigns to run for state office". Billings Gazette. June 6, 1986. p. 13. Archived from the original on September 22, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  13. "Cohen to be replacement for Karpan". Casper Star-Tribune. June 6, 1986. p. 1. Archived from the original on September 22, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  14. "Laramie Democrat plans to run for election to auditor's office". Billings Gazette. May 4, 1986. p. 17. Archived from the original on September 22, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  15. "Jensen to co-chair Karpan campaign". The Jackson Hole Guide. July 3, 1986. p. 15. Archived from the original on September 22, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  16. "Losers spent most in GOP race for secretary of state". Billings Gazette. September 6, 1986. p. 9. Archived from the original on September 22, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  17. "Karpan asks voters, 'What's in K.C.'s name?'". Casper Star-Tribune. September 16, 1986. p. 15. Archived from the original on September 22, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  18. "Official vote tabulations confirm election results". Billings Gazette. November 14, 1986. p. 17. Archived from the original on September 22, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  19. "Karpan announces re-election bid". Casper Star-Tribune. April 26, 1990. p. 1. Archived from the original on September 23, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  20. "2 contenders not sweating primaries". Billings Gazette. August 17, 1990. p. 21. Archived from the original on September 23, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  21. "Simon out; other incumbents win". Billings Gazette. November 8, 1990. p. 1. Archived from the original on September 23, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  22. "Karpan, Ohman doubled spending of opponents to secure election". Casper Star-Tribune. November 29, 1990. p. 1. Archived from the original on September 23, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  23. "Karpan, Simons endorse Sen. Al Gore". Casper Star-Tribune. February 27, 1988. p. 3. Archived from the original on September 23, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  24. "Sullivan, Karpan endorse Clinton". Casper Star-Tribune. November 28, 1991. p. 13. Archived from the original on September 23, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  25. "An Open Letter to Wyoming Voters". Casper Star-Tribune. November 1, 1992. p. 36. Archived from the original on June 16, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  26. "DNCC talks senate with Sulliva, Karpan". Casper Star-Tribune. April 8, 1994. p. 11. Archived from the original on September 23, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  27. "Karpan runs for governor". Casper Star-Tribune. April 19, 1994. p. 1. Archived from the original on September 23, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  28. "Unopposed". Casper Star-Tribune. August 14, 1994. p. 54. Archived from the original on September 24, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  29. "1994 gubernatorial election results". Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections. Archived from the original on September 24, 2020.
  30. "Karpan wins in Democratic poll". Casper Star-Tribune. February 13, 1996. p. 1. Archived from the original on September 24, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  31. "Formal United States Senate announcement". Billings Gazette. June 26, 1996. p. 10. Archived from the original on September 24, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  32. "Daschle shows support for Karpan Senate bid". Billings Gazette. May 31, 1996. p. 23. Archived from the original on September 24, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  33. "Kerrey spurs VA action". Billings Gazette. August 24, 1996. p. 14. Archived from the original on September 24, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  34. "Karpan, Enzi receive 'A's' from NRA". Billings Gazette. September 14, 1996. p. 1. Archived from the original on September 24, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  35. "1996 primary results" (PDF). Secretary of State of Wyoming. Archived (PDF) from the original on September 3, 2020.
  36. "1996 election results". Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections. Archived from the original on September 24, 2020.
  37. "Karpan tops foe in contributions". Billings Gazette. January 2, 1997. p. 7. Archived from the original on September 24, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  38. "BLM chief nominee named". Billings Gazette. May 7, 1997. p. 8. Archived from the original on September 23, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  39. "Karpan confirmed by Senate". Billings Gazette. August 2, 1997. p. 8. Archived from the original on September 23, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  40. "First Woman Director the Office of Surface Mining & Enforcement: Kathy Karpan". United States Department of the Interior. Archived from the original on September 27, 2020.
  41. "Present and Former Directors". Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement. Archived from the original on September 23, 2020.
  42. "Karpan gets job as county attorney". Billings Gazette. July 7, 1995. p. 13. Archived from the original on September 22, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  43. "Roncalio, Karpan throw support to Hickey". Billings Gazette. January 21, 2002. p. 4. Archived from the original on September 23, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  44. "Obama". Billings Gazette. April 3, 2008. p. 7. Archived from the original on September 23, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  45. "Karpan: Hillary is best choice in Dems' issue-driven campaign". Casper Star-Tribune. April 2, 2016. Archived from the original on September 27, 2020.
  46. "2008 delegates". Casper Star-Tribune. September 3, 2008. p. 49. Archived from the original on September 27, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  47. "Petersen names Karpan manager". Casper Star-Tribune. June 12, 2010. p. 3. Archived from the original on September 23, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  48. "Former Secretary of State Karpan chairs Greene campaign". Wyoming Tribune Eagle. June 16, 2016. Archived from the original on September 22, 2020.
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
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