Karen Handel Speaker & Booking Information

Karen Handel is a life-long conservative who built her career on sound fiscal and organizational management in both the public and private sector. She left an abusive home when she was 17, finishing high school and entering the workforce. With tremendous perseverance and determination, she has had a successful political and business career. Most recently, Karen wrote the book "Planned Bullyhood -- the Truth Behind the Planned Parenthood Funding Battle with Susan G. Komen for the Cure," based on her experiences as Komen's Senior Vice President of Public Policy when Komen decided, and then later reversed, its decision to end grants to Planned Parenthood. Karen, because of her pro-life beliefs, was quickly made the focal point of the left's anger over Komen's decision. With her book, Karen took the courageous step to stand up to the bully tactics of Planned Parenthood. She exposes the country's leading abortion provider as a liberal political machine willing to destroy anyone or any organization to advance its agenda and secure the continued flow of nearly $1.5 million a day in government funding to its coffers. Karen was first elected in 2003 as Chairman of the Fulton County (Georgia) Board of Commissioners, and she quickly earned a reputation for tenacity in balancing the county's budget and dealing with corruption. She inherited a budget with a $100 million deficit but balanced that budget and each budget under her tenure – with sound spending reductions and without tax increases. Karen gained statewide and national attention by leading the effort to remove the corrupt Sheriff from office after an audit revealed millions in missing and misappropriated funds. Karen's efforts led to the recovery of nearly all of the missing funds. As Georgia's first elected Republican Secretary of State, Karen led the state's implementation of photo ID for voting, which became the national model for the law. She successfully defended and implemented the law during the 2008 presidential elections, which saw record minority and overall voter participation. Karen inherited nearly 400 employees but she cut the department's budget by nearly 20% and instituted strong ethics policies, including policies to limit gifts and restrict nepotism. The Secretary of State's office became the first “completely transparent” agency in state government by posting all expenditures and revenues on-line. Karen launched her “outsider” campaign for Governor in 2009. Campaigning on a platform of ethics reform, “real” cuts to the size of government, and comprehensive education reform that focused on student and parent choice. She outperformed 3 much better-funded opponents, came in first place in the Republican primary, but eventually lost in the primary run-off by 2500 votes. Prior to elected office, Karen served as Deputy Chief of Staff to Governor Sonny Perdue. Karen's private sector experience includes executive management positions with CIBA Vision and the accounting firm of KPMG. She also served as president and CEO of the North Fulton Chamber of Commerce, where she brought the chamber from the brink of bankruptcy to solvency, while driving an aggressive economic development program that helped create tens of thousands of jobs in North Metro Atlanta. Karen is married to Steve Handel, whom she says is "a prince among men." Karen and Steve live in Roswell, Georgia, with their Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Mia.