About Karen
A lifelong resident of Oklahoma, Karen Gaddis was born in Holdenville, Oklahoma. She is a graduate of Tulsa Memorial High School and earned her graduate degree from the University of Oklahoma. Karen and her husband, Bill (deceased), raised their two boys in Tulsa and is a grandmother of six beautiful grandchildren.
Karen spent 40 years as an educator in Tulsa working at Whitney Elementary, Edison Junior High School, and Memorial High School. She was a three-time finalist for Tulsa Public Schools Teacher of the Year and received a commendation from President George H.W. Bush for a class she developed, “Algebra I for Parents”.
In 1995, Karen’s family earned the Tulsa Leadership Family of the Year award. She is a longtime member of Boston Avenue United Methodist Church and has served her community by volunteering her time and resources to organizations such as the American Red Cross, American Cancer Society, American Diabetic Association, and Tulsa Mental Health Association. She also worked with Exodus House’s Prisoner Rehabilitation Program and at McLain High School for Science and Technology as a mentor.
Additionally, in recent years Karen has also been active with the Oklahoma Federation of Democratic Women, OFDW’s Tulsa chapter Heart of the Party, Oklahoma Retired Educators Association, Tulsa Metro Retired Educators Association, Tulsa Regional STEM Alliance, Tulsa City/County Library Friends, and the University of Oklahoma Alumni Association.
In 2017, Karen Gaddis was elected to the Oklahoma House of Representatives serving the constituents of District 75. Her election in 2017 was a historic win in a previously Republican district and garnered national attention. During her time as a State Representative, she was known to fight for the working families of Oklahoma and was a fierce advocate for public education. She had an open-door policy for her office and would happily visit with any constituents who came by. She also regularly gave detailed updates on what was happening at the State Capitol. Karen believes it is important that her constituents, and all Oklahomans, are well informed about pending legislation and activities happening in the Oklahoma State Legislature.
After Karen’s husband, Bill, passed she moved into Senate District 25 and is currently the Democratic nominee. Senate District 25 is an open seat in 2024.
