Karan was elected to office from 1980 to 1994. She was first elected to the Coconino County Board of Supervisors, then the Arizona State House of Representatives, the Arizona State Senate and finally to the United States Congress representing Arizona District 6.
After leaving Congress, she participated in democracy programs, and women’s workshops in 19 countries. During that time, she worked at Northern Arizona University focusing on Sustainable Environment Programs.
From 2008 to 2023, Karan was appointed to the Board of the Office of Congressional Ethics in Washington D.C.
Today, she is focused on preserving Democracy which is foundational to protecting women’s rights, advancing environmental protection and providing quality education for our citizens.