Karen Danley

This page was current at the end of the individual's last campaign covered by Ballotpedia. Please contact us with any updates.

Karen Danley

Nonpartisan

Elections and appointments

Last election

November 5, 2019

Personal

Birthplace

Bismarck, N.D.

Profession

Teacher

Contact

Campaign website

Karen Danley ran for election to the Boise City Council to represent Seat 1 in Idaho. Danley lost in the general election on November 5, 2019.

Danley completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2019. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Karen Danley was born in Bismarck, North Dakota. She received a bachelor's degree from the University of Oregon in 1990 and a graduate degree in 1998 after attending the University of Colorado-Boulder, Boise State University, and Northwest Nazarene University. Danley's professional experience includes being a managing partner for Silver Ranch, LLP, in Bismarck, North Dakota, and working as a music teacher and band director from 1990 to 2016.

Elections

2019

See also: City elections in Boise, Idaho (2019)

General election

General election for Boise City Council Seat 1 (Historical)

The following candidates ran in the general election for Boise City Council Seat 1 (Historical) on November 5, 2019.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Patrick Bageant (Nonpartisan)	28.9	13,041
		Ryan Peck (Nonpartisan)	19.3	8,734
		Karen Danley (Nonpartisan)	18.3	8,275
	Submit photo	Brittney Scigliano (Nonpartisan)	16.5	7,449
		Tecle Gebremicheal (Nonpartisan)	12.0	5,428
	Submit photo	Chris Moeness (Nonpartisan)	5.0	2,257

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 45,184
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Endorsements

To see a list of endorsements for Karen Danley, click here.

Campaign themes

2019

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Karen Danley completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2019. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Danley's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I am an educator, businesswoman, and community activist who has spent over 20 years as a teacher in the Boise School District. I received my bachelor's degree in education from the University of Oregon and went on to earn my Master's from the University of Colorado - Boulder. I was drawn to Boise in 1993 due to its strong economy, supportive school district, trails and open spaces.

Throughout my career as a teacher I worked as a traveling band director at 17 different schools around Boise and was selected to represent the state of Idaho in "50 Directors Who Make a Difference". My life as a community activist began joining other teachers in organizing efforts against the Luna Education Laws to protect teachers and students from overwhelming classroom sizes and mandated online courses.

I am an active conservationist and advocate for the environment. One of my greatest achievements is spearheading the Stop Dynamis movement, which prevented a massive incinerator that threatened our air quality due to a lack of proper emission controls. For the past eight years I have been appointed to Ada County's Boards on Solid Waste Advisory and Open Space and Trails, where I serve as Vice-Chair. I am also the chair for the Oregon Trail Reserve and served on the Ridge to Rivers 10-Year Master Plan Committee.

In 2016, I stepped down from my role as an educator to focus more time as a managing partner of my family business, Silver Ranch, a planned community development project. I currently live in Northwest Boise, where I served on the North West Neighborhood Association Board. During my free time, you can find me riding horses, hiking, being a mother, and busy representing the issues I am most passionate about.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

• Reestablishing Our City's Priorities - We have to address our city's rapidly rising property taxes, improve collaboration with other municipal leaders around the valley and work toward achieving a more equitable representation of all our neighborhoods.
• Maintaining out Quality of Life - Our plans must focus on balancing the needs of our current residents while welcoming new ones. It is important that public transit as a whole is improved and we form more educational partnerships to better paying industries.
• Creating Safe and Livable Communities - The city's primary goal should be providing an equitable distribution of city services and community benefits. We must focus on sustainable growth that offers diverse housing choices, preserves neighborhood character, and contributes to the preservation of our environment.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I am passionate about local issues in general especially open space, trails, education, environmental sustainability, and electoral policy.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

Before I moved to Idaho in 1993, I studied Idaho history and learned of then Governor Cecil Andrus. He captured my attention as a young 24 year old teacher. Governor Andrus struck me as a bold leader who united people on meaningful issues, like our environment and education. I took advantage of every opportunity to hear him speak. He always left me feeling like I could take on the world, with his enthusiastic, bigger than life personality. I didn't know him well, however we did have three unforgettable conversations, which always made me ask myself, "Why not me?". When I told him I wanted to run for an elected office four years ago, his response made me realize that I would someday, and that day has arrived.

I often reflect on my favorite quote from him to remind myself what we are fighting for.

"Now we must look ahead. We must prepare ourselves to fight and win new battles, to press the great and just cause of improving the human condition. Our calling is to assure a full place at the center of society for those who, too often, live on its edges. Our mission is to use the power we possess and the good that government can do to carry the fight against ignorance, disease, poverty, and intolerance." - Cecil Andrus

What is your favorite book? Why?

1. Moment of Lift by Melinda Gates

I appreciate Melinda Gates analysis of women's work that is unpaid and at times under appreciated. She helped me appreciate women more and see why our perspective in politics is so important.


2. Dare to Lead: Brave Work. Tough Conversations. Whole Hearts by Brene Brown

I appreciate Brene Brown's insight to intrinsic leadership and courage to look at her own weaknesses which ultimately is a strength. She also "dares" me to stand strong yet vulnerable during tough conversations which are essential to strong leadership.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

See also

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