She was a member of the Oregon House of Representatives from 1998 to 2009, and served as Speaker of the House from 2003 to 2007 Born and raised in Portland, Minnis is a graduate of James Monroe High School in Portland and attended Clark Community College in Vancouver, Washington.
[citation needed] While a housewife, Minnis held jobs as a dental assistant, a waitress, and delivering newspapers, putting John through college.
She then worked as his legislative aide for a decade, an experience she credited with providing a valuable education in politics.
[2] Karen ran for John's seat in the House in 1998, when he was forced out of office by newly enacted (and short-lived) term limits.
She represented District 49, which included the cities of Fairview, Troutdale, and Wood Village, and a portion of Gresham, in east Multnomah County.