Karen Berg (politician)
Karen Berg (born December 30, 1961) is a physician and professor[2] who also serves in the Kentucky State Senate, representing the 26th District. She was elected to the Kentucky Senate (26th district) as a Democrat in a special election held on June 23, 2020, defeating Bill Ferko.[3] She succeeded Senator Ernie Harris, who resigned on April 15, 2020.[4] She is the only Jewish member of the Kentucky State Senate.[5]
Karen Berg | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Kentucky Senate from the 26th district | |
| Assumed office July 13, 2020 | |
| Preceded by | Ernie Harris |
| Personal details | |
| Born | December 30, 1961[1] |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Education | University of Kentucky (BA) University of Louisville (MD) |
Early life
Berg is a graduate of Central High School in Louisville, Kentucky, the University of Kentucky where she earned her Bachelor of Arts, and the University of Louisville, where she earned a Doctor of Medicine in 1987.[6][7]
She is the daughter of Harold Berg, a physician and artist.[8]
Career
Berg is a diagnostic radiologist.[9]
Berg ran for the Kentucky State Senate in 2018, losing the seat to incumbent Ernie Harris. She won the seat in a special election in June 2020 after Harris announced his retirement.[10][11] This was the first time in 25 years that the seat was won by a Democrat.[12][13] She is the only Jewish member serving on the Kentucky State Senate.[14]
She supports Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear’s efforts to reinstate Kentucky's health insurance exchange, a program that was abandoned by previous Republican governor Matt Bevin.[15]
She is also an assistant professor in the Department of Radiology at the University of Louisville.[16]
Personal life
Berg's son, Henry Berg-Brousseau, was a transgender rights advocate and worked as a deputy press secretary for politics of the Human Rights Campaign.[17] In 2015, at 16 years old, he testified against a bathroom bill in the Kentucky state legislature.[18] He died by suicide at the age of 24 on December 16, 2022.[17]
References
- ^ https://legislature.ky.gov/Legislators/Pages/Legislator-Profile.aspx?DistrictNumber=126
- ^ "Karen Berg, M.D." UofL Physicians. 2020-05-11. Retrieved 2022-03-20.
- ^ "Democrat Karen Berg wins special election to succeed state Sen. Ernie Harris", WHAS11 television, June 30, 2020
- ^ "Ernie Harris". Ballotpedia. Retrieved 2022-03-20.
- ^ "Legislator-Profile - Legislative Research Commission". legislature.ky.gov. Retrieved 2022-03-20.
- ^ "Karen Berg". Ballotpedia. Retrieved 2020-07-09.
- ^ "Dr. Karen Berg, MD | Louisville, KY | Healthgrades". www.healthgrades.com. Retrieved 2020-07-09.
- ^ Chottiner, Lee (2017-06-06). "Forty-eight years after unveiling, Berg mural to be rededicated at JCL Awards Meeting". Jewish Community of Louisville. Retrieved 2020-07-09.
- ^ "Dr. Karen Berg". DLCC. Retrieved 2020-07-09.
- ^ "Democrat Karen Berg wins special election to succeed state Sen. Ernie Harris". wwltv.com. Retrieved 2020-07-09.
- ^ "Democrats Flip First State Senate Seat For First Time In A Decade". spectrumnews1.com. Retrieved 2020-07-09.
- ^ "Democrats flip state Senate seat held by Republicans for 25 years". The Independent. 2020-07-01. Retrieved 2020-07-09.
- ^ "Democrat Karen Berg wins special election to replace state GOP Sen. Ernie Harris, who held seat 25 years | NKyTribune". Retrieved 2020-07-09.
- ^ "Karen Berg To Become Only Jewish Member of Kentucky State Legislature". CrownHeights.info - Chabad News, Crown Heights News, Lubavitch News. Retrieved 2020-07-09.
- ^ Chottiner, Lee. "Physician to become only Jewish member of Kentucky's state legislature". www.timesofisrael.com. Retrieved 2020-07-09.
- ^ "Dr. Karen Berg, M.D. — School of Medicine University of Louisville". louisville.edu. Retrieved 2020-07-09.
- ^ a b "Transgender rights advocate Henry Berg-Brousseau dies at 24". Associated Press. 2022-12-21. Retrieved 2022-12-21.
- ^ "Transgender rights activist Henry Berg-Brousseau dies aged 24". The Guardian. December 22, 2022. Retrieved December 22, 2022.
External links
- Profile at Vote Smart