Betty Karnette, former state senator and assemblywoman who represented Long Beach, San Pedro, dies at 90

A erstwhile authorities legislator and assemblywoman — who represented Long Beach, the cities connected the Palos Verdes Peninsula and San Pedro done overmuch of the 1990s and aboriginal 2000s — has died. She was 89.

Betty Karnette, a Kentucky autochthonal who moved to Long Beach with her hubby successful the 1950s and lived determination for astir 70 years, died respective days shy of her 90th birthday.

Karnette, who had bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Cal State Long Beach, was a longtime LAUSD teacher earlier retiring and getting into politics.

I americium atrocious to study that erstwhile Senator Betty Karnette has passed.

She led an bonzer life. She was a trailblazer for women and a fierce advocator for her constituents, workers, and nationalist education. She volition beryllium remembered for her wit and sincerity. May she Rest In Peace. https://t.co/cggnUNrOBa

— Janice Hahn (@SupJaniceHahn) September 8, 2021

Karnette, a Democrat, served successful the authorities Assembly from 1992 to 1994, and past successful the authorities Senate from 1996 to 2004. After that, she returned to the Assembly from 2004 to 2008.

“She’s going to beryllium missed due to the fact that she gave a batch of herself,” said Carmen O. Perez, a erstwhile vice seat of the Democratic Party and a person of Karnette’s. “This was her city.”

Perez started moving with Karnette successful the precocious 1960s, she said. Karnette, Perez said, was passionate astir education, voting and equality. The two, on with different section Democrats, spent galore nights successful Karnette’s location strategizing elections, mailing retired brochures oregon calling imaginable voters.

The 2 remained adjacent until Karnette died; Perez planned to be her day celebration, which was acceptable for Sunday, Sept. 12, a time earlier Karnette would person turned 90.

“I ever could number connected her,” she said. “She walked the talk.”

Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn, who lives successful San Pedro, tweeted Thursday morning, Sept. 8, that Karnette was successful the intensive attraction portion astatine Dignity Health – St. Mary Medical Center, successful Long Beach. A mates of hours later, Hahn tweeted that the erstwhile authorities legislator had died.

“She led an bonzer life,” Hahn said. “She was a trailblazer for women and a fierce advocator for her constituents, workers, and nationalist education. She volition beryllium remembered for her wit and sincerity.”

This communicative is breaking and volition beryllium updated. 

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