About Commissioner Bigham

Commissioner Karla Bigham was elected to the Washington County Board of Commissioners in 2022. This is her second tenure on the County Board. She previously served on the Washington County Board of Commissioners from 2015 to 2018. 

Commissioner Bigham served five years in the Minnesota State Senate after being elected in February 2018 in a special election and re-elected in 2020. Commissioner Bigham served in the Minnesota House of Representatives from 2007 until 2011. From 2005 until 2007, Commissioner Bigham 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, Commissioner Bigham was chair of the Cottage Grove Charter Commission and was a member of the Cottage Grove Environmental Commission. She is a member of the Cottage Grove Area Chamber of Commerce.

Commissioner Bigham obtained a Master of Public Affairs degree from the University of Minnesota. She received her bachelor's degree as a paralegal, with minors in sociology and political science from Winona State University. She is a graduate of Park High School in Cottage Grove.

Commissioner Bigham enjoys golf, spends time in her garden, and plays with her two rescue dogs. She is a huge football fan and officiates high school football through the Minnesota State High School League. She and her husband, John, are residents of Cottage Grove.