Karla Drenner

Who is Karla Drenner?

Dr Karla Lea Drenner is an American academic and politician from Georgia. A Democrat, she is a member of the Georgia House of Representatives representing the state's 85th district in Avondale Estates, DeKalb County.

Drenner has four degrees from four different universities. She obtained a Bachelor of Science from West Virginia State College, an MBA from Fontbonne College, a Master of Science from Southern Illinois University and a PhD from La Salle University.

Drenner is an adjunct Professor at DeVry University where she teaches Environmental Science, Principles of Ethics and Leadership and Motivation. Drenner is also the owner and President of an environmental safety and health consulting firm.

A lesbian, Drenner was the first ever openly gay member of the Georgia General Assembly. Today, she is one of four LGBT members, alongside Reps. Simone Bell, Rashad Taylor and Keisha Waites, all Atlanta Democrats. Her campaigns have won the backing of the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund.

A resident of Avondale Estates, Drenner was first elected to the state house in 2000, defeating a four-term incumbent in what was then the 66th district. In this heavily Democratic district, the primary election was the key contest and she won it by just 68 votes — 52% to 48%. No Republican had filed for the seat so she won the general election unopposed. Due to redistricting, the seat was renumbered the 57th district in 2002 and the 85th in 2004 but she won re-election unopposed on both occasions.