Karen Humphrey is a former local news reporter, who later served as mayor of Fresno, California between 1989 and 1993.
[1] She lost re-election to businessman Jim Patterson, not only losing in the primary, but only receiving 18% of the vote, and finishing third overall.
Humphrey obtained a bachelor's degree in Humanities from the University of Southern California and a master's Degree in public policy and women's studies from California State University, Sacramento.
In 1979, she decided to take her talents elsewhere and was elected to the Fresno City Council, where she served two terms.
[2] After her career as mayor, Humphrey worked in educational policy at the state level.