Karen Matthee

Karen Matthee is a candidate for State Representative Seat A District 1 Primary Election in 2026 in Idaho State House District 1, Idaho. Running as Democratic.

Candidate for State Representative Seat A District 1 in Sandpoint, ID

Also running: Jane Sauter, Mark Sauter.

Karen Matthee, a former journalist, author, and non-profit communications manager, is running as a Democrat for the Idaho State House of Representatives, District 1A in 2026. Born in California, she holds degrees from UC Berkeley and Northwestern University. Her career involved working for newspapers, an NPR affiliate, co-founding a women's publication, and managing communications for international organizations and humane societies. Matthee is running because she feels the state legislature, dominated by a Republican supermajority, isn't addressing critical issues. Her priorities include protecting reproductive rights, bringing OBGYN doctors to Bonner County, and safeguarding Medicare expansion. She is passionate about animal welfare.