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Karla Bigham

Commissioner, Board Chair (District 4) · Washington County; RRA Board Member (District 4); 2026 Chair of the full County Board · Washington County Regional Railroad Authority; Board Member (held Secretary/Treasurer 2024-2025 term) · Ramsey/Washington Recycling & Energy Board; Alternate (2025-2026 term) · Partnership on Waste and Energy Board

Serves or has served in 5 governments: Washington County Regional Railroad Authority, Ramsey/Washington Recycling & Energy Board, Partnership on Waste and Energy Board, City of Cottage Grove, MN, Washington County

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Everything on this page comes from public records, linked below. Last checked September 19, 2026. See an error? Tell us.

This is not a complete history. It is what has been found on publicly available sites, and we will continue to add as information becomes available. Terms & Conditions.

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Washington County Board elects chair and vice chair Jan 7, 2026
Stillwater Gazette

The Washington County Board elected Commissioner Karla Bigham to serve as board chair and Commissioner Bethany Cox as vice chair for 2026.

Board Chair
Karla Bigham narrowly wins Washington County board seat Nov 9, 2022
Pioneer Press

Karla Bigham defeated Republican Rep. Keith Franke for the Washington County Board District 4 seat, receiving about 51% of the vote.

Elections
State Sen. Karla Bigham announces run for Washington County Board of Commissioners Feb 21, 2022
Pioneer Press

State Sen. Karla Bigham announced she would not seek re-election to the Minnesota Senate and would instead run for the Washington County Board of Commissioners, a seat she had previously held from 2015 to 2018.

Elections
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Washington CountyCurrent
Commissioner, Board Chair · District 4
First elected 2014 · December 31, 2026
Washington County Regional Railroad AuthorityCurrent
RRA Board Member (District 4); 2026 Chair of the full County Board
Ramsey/Washington Recycling & Energy BoardCurrent
Board Member (held Secretary/Treasurer 2024-2025 term)
Partnership on Waste and Energy BoardCurrent
Alternate (2025-2026 term)
City of Cottage Grove, MNFormer
Council Member (former) · At Large
First elected 2005 · January 1, 2005 – December 31, 2007

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Commissioner, Board Chair · Washington County

2026Base salary
$88,051
Source

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Summary computed from nine of Karla Bigham's ten posted filings (Feb. 28, 2022 through Aug. 3, 2026). The filing covering 2025, filed Jan. 8, 2026, is a scanned image and is not yet included. Across these filings, $20,163.42 in itemized contributions is reported: $12,200.00 from organizations and $7,963.42 from individuals. Labor unions and union political funds account for $10,700.00, including building trades (pipefitters, plumbers, sprinkler fitters, sheet metal workers, carpenters, electrical workers, operating engineers, laborers, painters), Teamsters locals, and AFSCME. Other organizational contributors are Women Winning, Haulers for Choice Political Committee, the Minnesota Association of Realtors, and the Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association. Itemized contributions are only those from a donor giving more than $100 in a calendar year; smaller gifts are reported as a total. Total receipts reported on the filings: $16,445.00 (Mar. 6 to July 28, 2022), $7,275.00 including $481.56 in-kind (July 29 to Oct. 28, 2022), $400.00 (Oct. 28 to Dec. 2, 2022), $0 (Dec. 3 to 31, 2022), $2,706.03 including $180.37 in-kind from the candidate (2023), $2,153.68 (2024), $663.58 in refunds (Jan. 1 to 3, 2025), and $4,819.88 (Jan. 1 to Aug. 3, 2026). Contribution limits under Minn. Stat. 211A.12 for this office were $600 per donor in an election year (2022, 2026) and $250 in other years; in the filings read, no donor's total for a calendar year exceeds the limit that applied. Several donors gave the maximum. Every figure links to the county's posted filing. Checked Sept 19, 2026.

Summary computed from the filings listed below.

CFB official ID: 11577

Open the filings index

Notable donor connections

One or more donors below have a documented relationship with a government this person serves. This is a statement that two public records exist — not an allegation of wrongdoing.

Documented contributions (56)

DateDonorTypeAmountFiling
Jun 3, 2026Nancy RemackelIndividual$206.46Filing →Report
Jan 29, 202649ers PACLabor union$600Filing →Report
Jan 21, 2026Teamsters PACLabor union$500Filing →Report
Jan 14, 2026Sue VentoIndividual$200Filing →Report
Jan 14, 2026Robert NewbyIndividual$103.48Filing →Report
Jan 14, 2026Char RaymondIndividual$250Filing →Report
Jan 14, 2026Bonnie PowersIndividual$103.48Filing →Report
Jan 2, 2026LIUNA Political FundLabor union$250Filing →Report
Aug 29, 2024Shawn Brundidge
Has a relationship with Washington County
Individual$200Filing →Report
Aug 29, 2024Sheletta Brundidge
Has a relationship with Washington County
Received payment from Washington County
Individual$200Filing →Report
Apr 8, 2024International Union of Operating Engineers Local 49 State PACLabor union$250Filing →Report
Nov 6, 2023Minnesota Police and Peace Officers AssociationAssociation$200Filing →Report
Nov 1, 202349ers PACLabor union$250Filing →Report
Nov 27, 2022Corb HopkinsIndividual$200Filing →Report
Oct 26, 2022Minnesota Association of RealtorsAssociation$500Filing →Report
Oct 11, 2022IUPAT PAC 82Labor union$300Filing →Report
Oct 11, 2022Susan BurnsIndividual$68.44Filing →Report
Sep 29, 2022LDC Political Fund (LIUNA)Labor union$500Filing →Report
Sep 29, 2022Joshua Wilken-SimonIndividual$200Filing →Report
Sep 28, 2022Benjamin JordonIndividual$250Filing →Report
Sep 28, 2022Susan BurnsIndividual$481.56Filing →Report
Sep 27, 2022Steven BrownIndividual$600Filing →Report
Sep 27, 2022John HanselmanIndividual$600Filing →Report
Sep 19, 2022Niphone PhommarasIndividual$50Filing →Report
Sep 15, 2022AFSCME 2938 Political
Union representing employees at Washington County
Labor union$250Filing →Report
Sep 10, 2022Tim and Leslie KennedyIndividual$500Filing →Report
Sep 2, 2022Haulers for Choice Political CommitteePAC or political fund$500Filing →Report
Aug 29, 2022International Union of Operating Engineers Local 49 State PACLabor union$350Filing →Report
Aug 20, 2022IBEW Political Education FundLabor union$600Filing →Report
Aug 2, 2022Women WinningPAC or political fund$300Filing →Report
Jul 28, 2022Shawn Brundidge
Has a relationship with Washington County
Individual$600Filing →Report
Jul 21, 2022Minnesota Police and Peace Officers AssociationAssociation$600Filing →Report
Jul 21, 2022IBEW Local 292Labor union$600Filing →Report
Jul 21, 2022Teamsters Local 32Labor union$600Filing →Report
Jul 12, 2022Sue KunzIndividual$100Filing →Report
Jul 12, 2022International Union of Operating Engineers Local 49 State PACLabor union$250Filing →Report
Jul 12, 2022IBEW State Council PACLabor union$600Filing →Report
Jun 20, 2022Plumbers Local Union 34Labor union$600Filing →Report
Jun 14, 2022Sheet Metal Workers PAC 10Labor union$600Filing →Report
Jun 14, 2022Pipe Trades (Duluth)Labor union$500Filing →Report
Jun 8, 2022Carpenters (St. Paul)Labor union$500Filing →Report
Jun 7, 2022Robert NewbyIndividual$250Filing →Report
Jun 2, 2022Sprinkler Fitters Local 417Labor union$500Filing →Report
Jun 1, 2022Teamsters Local 120Labor union$600Filing →Report
May 30, 2022Miriam SimmonsIndividual$250Filing →Report
May 26, 2022Niphone PhommarasIndividual$200Filing →Report
May 26, 2022St. Paul Pipefitters Local 455Labor union$600Filing →Report
May 26, 2022Pam Neary and Court StoreyIndividual$200Filing →Report
May 26, 2022Sheletta Brundidge
Has a relationship with Washington County
Received payment from Washington County
Individual$600Filing →Report
May 25, 2022AFSCME Council 5
Union representing employees at Washington County
Labor union$300Filing →Report
May 25, 2022Nick FrentzIndividual$250Filing →Report
Apr 15, 2022Corb HopkinsIndividual$300Filing →Report
Mar 27, 2022Pam Neary and Court StoreyIndividual$200Filing →Report
Mar 27, 2022Sue StechmannIndividual$400Filing →Report
Mar 16, 2022Ken BrittianIndividual$300Filing →Report
Mar 15, 2022Sue KunzIndividual$100Filing →Report

Totals by donor type

2022

Individual: $6,700Association: $1,100Labor union: $8,250PAC or political fund: $800

2023

Association: $200Labor union: $250

2024

Individual: $400Labor union: $250

2026

Individual: $863.42Labor union: $1,350

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No recorded votes or motions on file yet. Add

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Fran Miron
  • Served with on Washington County Regional Railroad Authority, current
  • Served with on Ramsey/Washington Recycling & Energy Board, current
  • Served with on Partnership on Waste and Energy Board, current
  • Served with on Washington County, current
Michelle Clasen
  • Served with on Washington County Regional Railroad Authority, current
  • Served with on Washington County, current
Bethany Cox
  • Served with on Washington County Regional Railroad Authority, current
  • Served with on Washington County, current
Stan Karwoski
  • Served with on Washington County Regional Railroad Authority, current
  • Served with on Washington County, current
Kelly Miller
  • Served with on Ramsey/Washington Recycling & Energy Board, current
  • Served with on Partnership on Waste and Energy Board, current
Mary Jo McGuire
  • Served with on Ramsey/Washington Recycling & Energy Board, current
  • Served with on Partnership on Waste and Energy Board, current
Trista Martinson
  • Served with on Ramsey/Washington Recycling & Energy Board, current
Anna Hotz
  • Served with on Ramsey/Washington Recycling & Energy Board, current
Tom Ingemann
  • Served with on Ramsey/Washington Recycling & Energy Board, current
Rafael Ortega
  • Served with on Ramsey/Washington Recycling & Energy Board, current
Heather Edelson
  • Served with on Partnership on Waste and Energy Board, current
Debbie Goettel
  • Served with on Partnership on Waste and Energy Board, current
Brenda Malinowski
  • Served with on City of Cottage Grove, MN
Jennifer Levitt
  • Served with on City of Cottage Grove, MN
Ryan Burfeind
  • Served with on City of Cottage Grove, MN
Brenda Malinowski
  • Served with on City of Cottage Grove, MN
Zac Dockter
  • Served with on City of Cottage Grove, MN
Dave Thiede
  • Served with on City of Cottage Grove, MN
Justin Olsen
  • Served with on City of Cottage Grove, MN
Myron Bailey
  • Served with on City of Cottage Grove, MN
David Clausen
  • Served with on City of Cottage Grove, MN
Monique Garza
  • Served with on City of Cottage Grove, MN
Tamara Anderson
  • Served with on City of Cottage Grove, MN
Tony Khambata
  • Served with on City of Cottage Grove, MN
Jennifer Wagenius
  • Served with on Washington County, current
Kevin Magnuson
  • Served with on Washington County, current
Kevin Corbid
  • Served with on Washington County, current
Dan Starry
  • Served with on Washington County, current
Jan Lucke
  • Served with on Washington County, current

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Two public records, shown side by side. Not an allegation of wrongdoing.

No documented money connections on file. Report a money connection →

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Current employer or business: Washington County

Occupation as filed: Commissioner

Holds a Master of Public Affairs from the University of Minnesota and a bachelor's degree as a paralegal, with minors in sociology and political science, from Winona State University. Graduate of Park High School in Cottage Grove. Officiates high school football through the Minnesota State High School League. Chaired the Cottage Grove Charter Commission and served on the Cottage Grove Environmental Commission; member of the Cottage Grove Area Chamber of Commerce. The county's biography does not list a current private-sector employer.

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Disclosure notes

Statement of Economic Interest history, Minnesota Campaign Finance Board, public official ID 11577. Each year below is as captured by the Internet Archive; the archived copy is linked under Sources. Items are listed as filed.

Jan. 2, 2026 statement (captured Apr. 22, 2026)

Occupation Commissioner, employer Washington County. Sources of income: City of St. Paul; Debra Hilstrom Attorney at Law; Washington County. Independent contracting category: performing arts, spectator sports and related industries. Securities: Edward Jones Investment Account; Thrivent Financial Traditional IRA and Roth IRA. Business ownership, real property, government agency interests, honoraria, lobbyist or interested-person compensation: none reported.

Jan. 3, 2025 statement (captured Feb. 8, 2025)

Occupation Commissioner, employer Washington County. Sources of income: City of St. Paul; Debra Hilstrom Attorney at Law; Washington County. Securities: Canterbury Park Holding Corporation Company; Edward Jones Investment Account; Thrivent Financial Traditional IRA and Roth IRA. Independent contracting, business ownership, real property, government agency interests, honoraria: none reported.

Jan. 10, 2024 statement (captured Apr. 25, 2024)

Occupation Commissioner, employer Washington County. Sources of income: City of St. Paul; Washington County. Securities: Thrivent Financial Traditional IRA. Other categories: none reported.

Jan. 4, 2023 statement (captured Mar. 21, 2023)

Occupation Legislator, employer State of Minnesota. Source of income: Hennepin County. Securities: Thrivent Financial 401K. Real property: none reported.

Jan. 24, 2022 statement (captured July 23, 2022)

Occupation Legislator, employer State of Minnesota. Source of income: Hennepin County. Securities: Thrivent Financial 401K. Real property: none reported.

Jan. 5, 2021 statement (captured July 8, 2021)

Occupation Legislator, employer State of Minnesota. Sources of income: Hennepin County; State of Minnesota, Winona State University. Securities: Thrivent Financial IRA. Real property: none reported.

Changes between statements

Canterbury Park Holding Corporation appears as a security on the Jan. 3, 2025 statement and does not appear on the Jan. 2, 2026 statement. Debra Hilstrom Attorney at Law first appears as an income source on the Jan. 3, 2025 statement. City of St. Paul first appears on the Jan. 10, 2024 statement. The archived pages do not preserve which relationship box (employee, owner, member and so on) was checked for each income source. Positions held, as listed: Washington County Commissioner 2023-2026; State Senator 2021-2022 (prior service from Feb. 2018 per other sources); Washington County Commissioner 2015-2018; Amateur Sports Commission member 2011-2014 (appointed by the Governor); State Representative 2009-2011 as listed. Checked Sept 19, 2026.

Potential conflicts

Two public records, shown side by side. Not an allegation of wrongdoing.

No documented potential conflicts on file. If you know of a financial relationship between Karla Bigham (or a household member) and a government they serve — a contract, payment, grant, or appointment — report it below with a link to the public source.

Report a potential conflict

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Karla.Bigham@co.washington.mn.us651-430-6214

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  1. District 4 Commissioner, Karla Bigham — Washington County, MN (checked 2026-09-19)
  2. Karla Bigham 03-06-2022 — Washington County Elections (checked 2026-09-19)
  3. Karla Bigham 07-28-2022 — Washington County Elections (checked 2026-09-19)
  4. Karla Bigham 10-27-2022 — Washington County Elections (checked 2026-09-19)
  5. Karla Bigham 12-02-2022 — Washington County Elections (checked 2026-09-19)
  6. Karla Bigham 01-30-2023 — Washington County Elections (checked 2026-09-19)
  7. Karla Bigham 12-31-2023 — Washington County Elections (checked 2026-09-19)
  8. Karla Bigham 12-31-2024 — Washington County Elections (checked 2026-09-19)
  9. Karla Bigham 01-03-2025 — Washington County Elections (checked 2026-09-19)
  10. Karla Bigham 01-08-2026 — Washington County Elections (checked 2026-09-19)
  11. Karla Bigham 08-03-2026 — Washington County Elections (checked 2026-09-19)
  12. Official: Bigham, Karla (captured Apr. 22, 2026) — Internet Archive capture of the Minnesota Campaign Finance Board (checked 2026-09-19)
  13. Official: Bigham, Karla (captured Feb. 8, 2025) — Internet Archive capture of the Minnesota Campaign Finance Board (checked 2026-09-19)
  14. Official: Bigham, Karla (captured Apr. 25, 2024) — Internet Archive capture of the Minnesota Campaign Finance Board (checked 2026-09-19)
  15. Official: Bigham, Karla (captured Mar. 21, 2023) — Internet Archive capture of the Minnesota Campaign Finance Board (checked 2026-09-19)
  16. Official: Bigham, Karla (captured July 23, 2022) — Internet Archive capture of the Minnesota Campaign Finance Board (checked 2026-09-19)
  17. Official: Bigham, Karla (captured July 8, 2021) — Internet Archive capture of the Minnesota Campaign Finance Board (checked 2026-09-19)

Every fact on this page comes from a public record listed in Sources. Found an error? Tell us.