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Karen Handel

On January 8, 2007, Karen Handel was sworn in as the first Republican Secretary of State for the State of Georgia in 130 years. Prior to being elected as Secretary of State, Karen Handel served as the Chairman of the Fulton County Commission, representing District 1, which consists of the entire County. The Fulton County Commission Chairmanship was Mrs. Handel’s first time serving in an elected position. A longtime political advocate, before being elected to the Fulton County Commission, Mrs. Handel served as Deputy Chief of Staff to Governor Sonny Perdue. She resigned that post to seek the office of Chairman.  

Before joining the Perdue administration, she served as President and CEO of the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce.

Mrs. Handel began her career in Washington, D.C., as a clerk-typist for the American Association for Retired Persons. In 1989, Handel joined the Bush-Quayle administration, where she managed breast cancer awareness programs and coordinated White House efforts to establish Breast Cancer Awareness Month, secured research funding, and played a role in the national expansion of the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure. She also served as Marilyn Quayles’ Deputy Chief of Staff.

After moving to the Atlanta area in 1994, Handel served in government affairs positions in the accounting and healthcare industries. 

Mrs. Handel has also held leadership positions in a number of community and civic organizations, including Habitat for Humanity, the Chattahoochee Water Basin Council, and the Georgia 400 Corridor Study Group.

The Secretary of State resides in Roswell with her husband, Steve.