Jackie Speier

Biography

Karen Speier is an American lawyer and politician who served as the U.S. representative for California's 14th congressional district from 2008 to 2023. In 1978, she survived five gunshot wounds during the Jonestown massacre while working as aide to Leo Ryan, who was assassinated. She previously represented parts of San Francisco and San Mateo counties in the California State Senate. She won a special election for Tom Lantos' vacant seat in 2008.