Karen Tallian
Karen Tallian | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Indiana Senate from the 4th district | |
| In office 2005 - | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | December 2, 1950 Streator, Illinois |
| Political party | Democrat |
| Spouse | Divorced |
| Residence | Ogden Dunes, Indiana |
| Alma mater | Harrington College of Design, University of Chicago, Valparaiso University |
| Profession | Attorney |
Karen R. Tallian (born December 2, 1950) is a Democratic member of the Indiana Senate, representing the 4th District, since her appointment in December 2005. While serving in the Senate, Tallian has supported the decriminalization of marijuana and authored bills in its favor. Tallians main focus this year was this marijuana bill, raising minimum wage, Employee's right to scheduled employment, the school funding formula and the state’s biennial budget. [1][2][3][4]
Personal Details
Education
Tallian earned her B.A. in Philosophy and Psychology at the University of Chicago in 1972, an associate’s degree from Chicago’s Harrington College of Design postgradute, and her J.D. from Valparaiso University in 1990.[5]
Prior to Senate
She has professional experience working as an Adjunct Professor for Valparaiso University Law School, attorney for the Portage Township Trustee, the Portage Fire Department, the Porter County Plan Commission and the Board of Zoning Appeals, attorney for Hilbnich Law, attorney for Bruce Clark and Associates and attorney/Partner for Eberhard and Gastineau since 1998. Karen also served as President and board member of the Portage Parks Foundation, President of the Porter County League of Women Voters and the Director of the State Board of the League of Women Voters.[5]
Family
She has three adult children; Mike is a Portage firefighter, Christopher works in Chicago and attends school and the daughter Aimee is working in Montana for the National Parks Service. Tallian resides in Portage,Indiana.
Political career
Political Positions
She first joined the State Senate in December 2005, then won re-election in 2006, 2010 and 2014. She represents District 4, D-Portage, which includes portions of Porter and LaPorte counties.[5]
Commitee Assignments
Appropriations (Ranking Minority Member)
- School Funding Subcommittee
Corrections & Criminal Law
- Criminal Law Subcommittee
Environmental Affairs
Pensions & Labor (Ranking Minority Member)
Rules & Legislative Procedure
Other Indiana General Assembly Affiliations
State Budget Committee
Indiana Rural Caucus
National Committees
National Conference of State Legislatures Labor and Economic Development Committee
Great Lakes Legislative Caucus
2006
November 7, 2006, Democrat Karen Tallian won re-election to the Indiana State Senate District 4 receiving 19,431 votes, beating Republican member Dale Brewer only receiving 11,622 votes.[6]
| Candidate | Affiliation | Support | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| Karen Tallian | Democrat | 19,431 | Won |
| Dale Brewer | Republican | 11,622 | Lost |
2010
During her first general election on November 2, Tallian defeated Republican Shawn Olson, receiving 3,031 more votes. Tallian ran unopposed in the May 4 Democratic primary.[7]
| Candidate | Affiliation | Support | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| Karen Tallian | Democrat | 18,888 | Won |
| Shawn Olson | Republican | 15,857 | Lost |
2014
In 2014, Tallian ran unchallenged in the Indiana Primary Election on May 6, 2014, receiving 3958 votes. She went unopposed in the General Election on November 4.[8]
| Candidate | Affiliation | Support | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| Karen Tallian | Democrat | 3958 | Won |
| Unopposed | -- | -- | -- |
Political issues
The Senate Democrats have been working on amending the IN Civil Rights Code to include protections for LGBTQ Hoosiers. As the Ranking Minority Member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Tallian is busy working on the state’s biennial budget. This is the only piece of legislation that must be passed this session before the April 29, 2015 deadline.
Awards
Tallian received the Joan Laskowski Legislator of the Year Award from the American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana in 2008. In 2010, she received the the Tommie Blaylock Award for Outstanding Leadership by the United Steelworkers of America (USWA) Local #104. Following her award in 2010, she was inducted into The Society of Innovators of Northwest Indiana.
References
- ^ Hayden, Maureen (July 11, 2011). "State senator surprised by support for legalized marijuana bill". Herald Bulletin.
- ^ Hayden, Maureen (September 18, 2012). "Steele pushes to decriminalize pot possession". Herald Bulletin.
- ^ Hayden, Maureen (March 31, 2013). "Statehouse debate over pot penalties isn't over". Pharos-Tribune Logansport.
- ^ Guerra, Kristine (December 17, 2014). "Is Indiana ready to legalize marijuana?". Indianapolis Star.
- ^ a b c "Senator Karen Tallian - District 4". Indiana Senate Democrats.
- ^ "Secretary of State : Election Division: Election Results". in.gov.
- ^ "Secretary of State : Election Division: Election Results". in.gov.
- ^ "Secretary of State : Election Division: Election Results". in.gov.
External links
- State Senator Karen Tallian official Indiana State Legislature site
- State Senator Karen Tallian official campaign website
- Profile at Vote Smart