October 2012

PLANNED PARENTHOOD ADVOCATES OF ARIZONA

The Arizona general election will be held on November 6, 2012, with early voting starting on October 11. After the many recent legislative challenges to reproductive health care access, both nationally and statewide, the importance of voting in November can’t be overstated. To help voters, Planned Parenthood Advocates of Arizona has endorsed candidates who have shown strong commitment to reproductive health and freedom. Meet our candidate, Karyn Lathan for State Representative, LD17. | Read More

September 2012

DISTRICT 17 SENATE/HOUSE CLEAN ELECTIONS DEBATE

Holiday Inn at Ocotillo, 1200 W. Ocotillo Rd.Chandler, AZ 85248

 

August 2012

UNITED AGAINST THE WAR ON WOMEN

Arizona Women United are sponsoring a town hall, “Unite Against the War on Women,” at 1 p.m. Aug. 12 at Barr Central Library 1221 N. Central Ave., Phoenix. There will be a Q&A period facilitated by panel members; followed by a Q&A and discussion with audience members.

Female candidates that are scheduled to attend include: Lilia Alvarez, candidate for Maricopa County supervisor; Wenona Benally Baldenegro, candidate for Congress, district one; Karyn Lathan, candidate for Arizona House, district 17; Tonya Norwood, candidate for Arizona House, district 20. The panel will include: Abby Sinclair, Arizona Women United; Paula Pennypacker, Republican Political Activist, owner of Just for Redheads Beauty Products; and Nancy LaPlaca, policy advisor to Corporation Commissioner Paul Newman.

For more information, visit http://www.facebook.com/events/339299496155291

March 20, 2012

ADVOCATE FOR VICTIMS' SERVICES SEEKS HOUSE SEAT

Edythe Jensen
Arizona Republic

 

Karyn Lathan, chairwoman of the Chandler Domestic Violence Commission and a victims' advocate, is challenging Republicans Tom Forese and Javan Mesnard for a state House seat in the new District 17, which includes Chandler, Sun Lakes and part of Gilbert. She is the second Democrat to enter races in the predominantly Republican former District 21. Bill Gates of Sun Lakes is seeking the state Senate seat held by Chandler Republican Steve Yarbrough. | READ MORE

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March 2012

WILL NEWLY DRAWN DISTRICT HELP "OUT" DEMOCRAT?

Luis Garcia
'N Touch News Magazine

It is not uncharacteristic for an “out” gay or lesbian person to run for state legislature in central
Phoenix, but when it happens in a district that historically votes for right-wing candidates it’s going
to make some news. Democrat Karyn Lathan, of Chandler, is hoping that the newly drawn districts will favor her in the upcoming elections. She is vying for the Arizona House of Representatives seat in District 21, which will now cover Chandler and Sun Lakes communities. | READ MORE | Download PDF

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January 31, 2012

TIME TO RUN FOR OFFICE, 99 PERCENTERS

Katrina vanden Heuvel
The Washington Post

There is a message that Progressive Majority, the only progressive organization dedicated to the recruitment and support of candidates at the state and local level, has been sending loud and clear. They’ve joined with Moveon.org, SEIU, USAction, Rebuild the Dream and a dozen more organizations in an audacious drive to recruit, train and support candidates at every level. More than 5,000 potential candidates have already signed up to run. They include people like Karyn Lathan, an openly gay former police officer and Air Force veteran, who was recruited to run for the Arizona House. Not all of them will win. But those who run will have the opportunity to change the trajectory of political conversation in their cities and districts. And those who win will have the chance to shape a government that truly responds to the 99 percent. | READ MORE

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January 29, 2012

KARYN ENTERS THE RACE FOR THE ARIZONA STATE HOUSE

Chandler,AZ - On Sunday, January 29, 2012, Karyn Lathan officially announced her intentions to seek election as a Democrat to the Arizona State Legislature representing the newly established District 17 serving Chandler and Sun Lakes communities. City Councilwoman and former Vice-Mayor Trinity Donovan, Vice-Chair of Arizona Democratic Party Marquisha Griffin, Minority House Whip Chad Campbell, LD21 Chair Sandra Fischer, and CD5 Candidate Spencer Morgan all came out to speak in support of Karyn Lathan's candidacy for the Arizona State House of Representatives.

"Arizona has been in the grasp of extremism for too long. It is time to bring our legislature back to the mainstream," said Lathan. "The current incumbents seem to have lost critical thinking skills, choosing to vote straight party lines at every given opportunity. They are not representing the people of District 17. It is time to put partisan politics aside and do the work of the people of Arizona. As your representative, I will always put people before politics."

Karyn Lathan has spent over 25 years in law enforcement and corrections as a Police Officer, Correctional Officer, Probation and Parole Officer and ending her career in law enforcement as the Restorative Justice Coordinator for Arizona Department of Corrections. She is an Air Force veteran where she served in South Korea as well as stateside.

Karyn has spent the last 5 years working and volunteering with victim services organizations, is the Chairman of the Chandler Domestic Violence Commission, Board member for the Arizona Sexual Assault Network, and member of the Arizona Coalition of Victim Services.