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Karen Lorraine Jacqueline (Jackie) Speier is a Representative from California. Born in San Francisco, CA, in 1950, she earned her B.A. from the University of California in 1972 and her J.D. from the University of California Hastings School of Law in 1976.
She worked on staff for United States Representative Leo Joseph Ryan of California from 1973-1978; and was a private practice lawyer and San Mateo County, CA, supervisor from 1980-1986. She was a member of the California state assembly from 1986-1998 and a member of the California state senate from 1998-2006.
She ran unsuccessfully for lieutenant governor of California in 2006 and in the special election to fill the vacancy caused by the death of United States Representative Leo Joseph Ryan of California in 1979. She was elected to the 110th Congress by special election to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Representative Thomas Peter Lantos, and reelected to the four succeeding Congresses (April 8, 2008-present).