Laura Knaperek (July 12, 1955 – March 3, 2016) was an American Republican politician and public official from Arizona.
After being term limited out of office in 2002, Knaperek ran against incumbent Harry Mitchell as an alternative to his liberal voting record.
Knaperek went to work as a columnist for the East Valley Tribune and was recruited to run again in 2004 to take back her former Republican seat.
She served for two more years and was voted out due to voter displeasure with Republicans in Congress, the Presidency and the war on terror in Iraq.
[1][2] Knaperek was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and left behind six children.