About Karla Bigham
It is an honor to serve as a Washington County Commissioner and my passion for public service is motivated by working on issues that impact the communities I know best, including my hometown of Cottage Grove.
As a Washington County Commissioner I intend to continue advocating for clean water, workforce development, mental health services, chemical health programs, affordable housing, and infrastructure that serves the needs of our growing communities. I will work hard to earn the people’s votes to continue to be their Washington County Commissioner!
Bigham and her husband, John, are residents of Cottage Grove
EARLY YEARS
Karla Bigham is a lifelong resident of Washington County; she was born in Newport and grew up in Cottage Grove. Raised in a union family, Karla is the proud daughter of a refinery employee, Dan, who worked 43 years at the St. Paul Park Refinery and Pat, data entry operator who worked 32 years at South Washington County Schools. Her grandfather, a proud union member, worked for decades in the stockyards of Swift and Company in South St. Paul. Her grandmother, a proud union member, worked many years on the assembly line at Buckbee Mears in St. Paul. Her father and brother were longtime members of the Cottage Grove Fire Department. Karla is the daughter, granddaughter, and great grand-daughter of veterans. Karla has been a member of the Teamsters, UFCW, and AFSCME.
Karla is a proud graduate of Park High School in Cottage Grove. Her mother, sister, and brother all graduated from Park High School too! Karla was active in Student Council, the speech team, and tennis. Karla absolutely loved playing softball through the Cottage Grove Athletic Association.
Karla continued her education and received her Bachelor’s Degree as a paralegal, with minors in sociology and political science from Winona State University. Karla was involved in the Student Senate while at Winona State. Karla obtained a Master of Public Affairs Degree from the University of Minnesota Humphrey School of Public Affairs.
PUBLIC SERVICE
Karla was elected to the Washington County Board of Commissioners in 2022. This is her second tenure on the board, having previously served on the Washington County Board of Commissioners from 2015-2018. Karla served 5 years in the Minnesota State Senate after being elected in February of 2018 in a Special Election and re-elected in 2020. Karla served in the Minnesota House of Representatives from 2007 until 2011. From 2005 until 2007, at age 25, Karla served on the Cottage Grove City Council. Prior to serving on the city council, she chaired the Cottage Grove Public Safety, Health, and Welfare Commission. Additionally, Karla was chair of the Cottage Grove Charter Commission and was a member of the Cottage Grove Environmental Commission.
Karla has focused on public safety, clean water, and local government issues throughout her public service career.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Karla is a huge football fan! It does not matter what level of play–SKOL, SKI-U-MAH, GO WOLFPACK–she is a fan! She officiates high school football through the Minnesota State High School League. Karla likes to play golf, spend time in her garden, and play with her two rescue dogs. Karla and her husband, John, are residents of Cottage Grove. Karla is a member of the Cottage Grove Area Chamber of Commerce, Minnesota Farm Bureau, and Minnesota Farmers Union. Karla and John are members of All Saints Lutheran Church in Cottage Grove.
