Betty Karnette

Betty Karnette (D - Long Beach) was elected to the California State Senate in 1996 to represent the 27th district which includes the cities of Artesia, Avalon, Bellflower, Cerritos, Downey, Hawaiian Gardens, Lakewood, Long Beach, Palos Verdes Estates, Rancho Palos Verdes, Rolling Hills, Rolling Hills Estates, San Pedro, Signal Hill and portions of Los Angeles County. Senator Karnette's strong interest in transportation, campaign spending reform, job development and streamlining government is reflected in her Senate committee assignments. She currently serves as a member of the Senate Rules Committee, Transportation Committee, Chair of the Select Committee on the Alameda Corridor and is also a member of the Appropriations, Governmental Organization, Industrial Relations, Public Employment and Retirement, and Finance, Investment and International Trade Committees. In addition, Karnette is a member of the State Coastal Conservancy and the California Small Business Board.

Betty has long had an interest and involvement in state and local issues. Much of her collaborative style and effectiveness can be traced directly to her experiences as a middle school math teacher. As a teacher she developed a clear, concise style for advocating for issues important to her. Karnette began teaching in the Los Angeles Unified School District when John Kennedy was President and spent 31 years in the classroom. In 1992, she made her first run for public office. Winning this election, Senator Karnette served in the State Assembly from 1992-1994. After leaving the Assembly, she worked as an educational consultant and substitute teacher from 1994-1996.

Karnette has continued her long-standing community activism. She currently serves on the Board of Directors of Young Horizons, a Long Beach non-profit corporation providing diversion activities, parenting skills and childcare for at-risk youth. She is a member of the Board of Directors for the Long Beach Memorial Hospital Children's Clinic and is also an Associate Board Member for Sage House in San Pedro which provides adult day care programs.

Betty spent the 1950s working as a secretary and office manager for the oil industry on Terminal Island and completed her B.A. degree at California State University, Long Beach while working full-time. She continued working in the oil industry even after she began teaching school. She later earned an M.A. degree from California State University, Long Beach.

A native of Paducah, Kentucky, Betty and her husband Richard have lived in Long Beach since 1952 and are long-time Wrigley homeowners. The Karnettes have one daughter.