Karen Handel: A Political and Professional Career Overview
Karen Handel has maintained a prominent presence in Georgia's political landscape and the national non-profit sector for over two decades. From local governance in Fulton County to serving as a historic state official and leading public policy for a major health charity, her career has been marked by significant electoral milestones and high-profile controversies.
Early Career and Local Governance
Handel's entry into elected office began in November 2003, when she won a special election to become the chairman of the Fulton County Board of Commissioners. Replacing Mike Kenn, she secured 58% of the popular vote and served in this capacity until 2006. Prior to this victory, she had served as the president and CEO of the North Fulton County Chamber of Commerce, though an initial run for commissioner in 2002 was unsuccessful.
Georgia Secretary of State (2007–2010)
In 2006, Handel transitioned to state-level politics. After defeating state Senator Bill Stephens in the Republican primary with 56.6% of the vote, she went on to defeat Democratic nominee Gail Buckner in the general election with 54.1% of the vote. This victory made Handel the first elected Republican secretary of state in Georgia's history.
During her tenure, Handel implemented a project to purge voter rolls by matching data with the Social Security Administration and the Georgia Department of Driver Services. This initiative faced significant legal challenges. The ACLU of Georgia and MALDEF filed a federal lawsuit alleging a "systematic purging procedure" that violated federal law by occurring within 90 days of elections. Some eligible citizens were erroneously flagged as non-citizens.
In 2009, the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) Civil Rights Division ordered a halt to the effort, denying approval under the Voting Rights Act of 1965. The DOJ determined the program was flawed and disproportionately burdened African-American, Asian, and Hispanic voters. While Handel defended the program as necessary, a later ruling by U.S. District Judge Timothy C. Batten Sr. regarding her successor, Brian Kemp, described the state's general approach to confirming inactive voters as "reasonable and non-discriminatory."
The 2010 Gubernatorial Campaign
Handel resigned as secretary of state in December 2009 to pursue the Georgia governorship. Her campaign garnered endorsements from high-profile Republicans, including Mitt Romney and Sarah Palin.
The primary election on July 20, 2010, resulted in a run-off between Handel (34%) and former Congressman Nathan Deal (23%). The run-off was characterized by intense personal attacks; Deal's allies questioned Handel's stance on abortion and her past association with the Log Cabin Republicans, a gay-rights organization. Handel denied membership in the group and accused Deal of bigotry. Ultimately, Handel lost the run-off by a narrow margin of 50.2% to 49.8%, a difference of approximately 2,500 votes out of nearly 580,000 cast.
Leadership at Susan G. Komen for the Cure
In April 2011, Handel joined the breast cancer charity Susan G. Komen for the Cure as senior vice president of public policy. She was tasked with managing the organization's state and federal advocacy efforts.
In January 2012, Komen announced it would stop funding Planned Parenthood, citing a new policy against funding organizations under government investigation. Reports from The Atlantic and The Huffington Post indicated that Handel was the primary driver behind this policy change. The decision sparked significant backlash, leading Komen to reverse the decision four days later and clarify that disqualifying investigations must be criminal and conclusive.
Handel resigned from the foundation on February 7, 2012. The Los Angeles Times described the incident as a major PR failure, and Komen reported a 22% loss in funding in the following fiscal year, partly attributed to the controversy.
Literary Work and 2014 Senate Bid
Following her departure from Komen, Handel published a memoir on September 11, 2012, titled Planned Bullyhood. In the book, she defended the decision to cut grants to Planned Parenthood, describing the organization as "blatantly partisan" and "bullies."
Handel returned to politics in May 2013, announcing her candidacy for the United States Senate. During the campaign, opponent David Perdue criticized her for lacking a college degree, a point defended by supporters who argued her leadership experience was more valuable than a degree.
In the May 2014 Republican Senate primary, Handel finished third with 21.96% of the vote, failing to qualify for the run-off election.
Key Facts
- First Republican Secretary of State: Handel was the first person from the Republican Party to be elected to this position in Georgia.
- Voter Roll Controversy: Her voter verification program was halted by the DOJ in 2009 for disproportionately affecting minority voters.
- Narrow Gubernatorial Loss: She lost the 2010 Republican run-off for governor by only about 2,500 votes.
- Komen Tenure: Led public policy at Susan G. Komen for the Cure before resigning following a funding dispute with Planned Parenthood.
- Senate Primary: Finished third in the 2014 Republican primary for the U.S. Senate.
| Year | Role/Election | Outcome/Result |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 | Fulton County Board Chairman | Won (58%) |
| 2006 | Georgia Secretary of State | Won (54.1%) |
| 2010 | Georgia Governor (Republican Run-off) | Lost (49.8%) |
| 2011-2012 | SVP Public Policy, Susan G. Komen | Resigned |
| 2014 | U.S. Senate (Republican Primary) | Third Place (21.96%) |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the DOJ halt Karen Handel's voter verification program?
The U.S. Department of Justice determined that the program was flawed and frequently subjected a disproportionate number of African-American, Asian, and Hispanic voters to erroneous burdens on their right to register to vote.
How close was the 2010 Georgia gubernatorial run-off?
The election was extremely close, with Nathan Deal winning 50.2% to Handel's 49.8%, a difference of approximately 2,500 votes out of nearly 580,000 cast.
What was the controversy regarding Susan G. Komen for the Cure?
Handel was reported to have driven a policy that cut funding to Planned Parenthood. This led to significant public backlash, a reversal of the decision by the organization, and Handel's subsequent resignation.
What is the subject of Handel's book, Planned Bullyhood?
The memoir focuses on her time as vice president of public policy at Susan G. Komen for the Cure and defends the organization's brief decision to end grants to Planned Parenthood.
Did Karen Handel win the 2014 Senate primary?
No, she finished third in the Republican primary with 21.96% of the vote and did not qualify for the run-off.