{"biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\n\nKaren Gertz is a Democratic candidate running for election to the Tennessee House of Representatives to represent District 20 [1]. She appears on the ballot for the Democratic primary scheduled for August 6, 2026 [1][5]. As of May 2026, she has not secured endorsements from Democratic or progressive organizations [3].\n\nGertz states that her campaign is motivated by opposition to the state legislature's supermajority, which she characterizes as enacting regressive legislation that diminishes the rights and safety of Tennesseans [2]. She advocates for an inclusive and progressive approach to governance [2]. Her platform includes full support for the legalization, taxation, and regulation of marijuana, as well as medical use and decriminalization of possession [6]. Additionally, she supports The For Our Freedom Amendment, a proposed constitutional amendment aimed at ending the influence of big money in politics [7].\n\n## Background and education\n\nKaren Gertz describes herself as a \"Navy kid\" who lived in diverse environments across the United States, including the Northeast, Florida, Tennessee, and California [4]. She earned a bachelor\u2019s degree in Biology from Maryville College in 2000 [1][4].\n\n## Career\n\nKaren Gertz earned a bachelor\u2019s degree in biology from Maryville College in 2000 [1]. Her professional background includes work as a technical writer and in quality assurance and auditing within the science industry [1].\n\nGertz describes herself as a \"Navy kid\" who lived in various locations across the United States, including the Northeast, Florida, Tennessee, and California, which she states helped her learn to embrace diverse environments and communities [4].\n\n## Sources\n[1] [Karen Gertz - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Karen_Gertz)\n[2] (source #2 not in master list)\n[3] [Endorsements for Karen Gertz - Tennessee Democratic Party Candidate](https://bluevoterguide.org/TN/candidate_Karen_Gertz/548316)\n[4] [Home - Karen Gertz for District 20](https://karengertztn.com/)\n[5] [Karen Gertz | BallotReady](https://www.ballotready.org/people/karen-gertz)\n[6] [Karen Gertz - Smoke the Vote - NORML](https://vote.norml.org/politicians/216416)\n[7] [Karen Gertz - Supports The For Our Freedom Amendment](https://americanpromise.net/candidates/karen-gertz/)","campaigns":[{"contest":"state_house_020","county":"Blount","county_count":1,"electiondate":"Thu, 06 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT","pgr":"primary","state":"TN","title":"TN State House District 20"}],"cf_filings":[],"firstname":"Karen","fullname":"Karen Gertz","lastname":"Gertz","office_history":[{"campaigns":[{"contest":"state_house_020","contest_title":"TN State House District 20","county":"Blount","county_count":1,"electiondate":"2026-08-06","office_county":null,"office_key":"state_house_020","office_title":"State Representative District 20","party":"D","pgr":"primary","state":"TN"}],"county":null,"cycles":[{"general":null,"party":"D","primary":{"contest":"state_house_020","contest_title":"TN State House District 20","county":"Blount","county_count":1,"electiondate":"2026-08-06","office_county":null,"office_key":"state_house_020","office_title":"State Representative District 20","party":"D","pgr":"primary","state":"TN"},"term":null,"year":2026}],"office_key":"state_house_020","office_title":"State Representative District 20","state":"TN","terms":[]}],"summary":"Karen Gertz is a Democratic candidate for Tennessee House District 20 in the 2026 primary, holding a Bachelor's in Biology and supporting marijuana legalization.","terms":[],"token":"LgWsXNF655"}