Ellen Karcher

Ellen Karcher (born February 28, 1964) is an American Democratic Party politician, who served in the New Jersey State Senate from 2004 until 2008, where she represented the 12th Legislative District.

Karcher graduated magna cum laude with a B.A. from Rutgers University with a double major in English and Political Science. She received an M.A. from the Eagleton Institute of Politics at Rutgers University in Political Science and Public Policy. Karcher is a Ph.D. Candidate at Rutgers University in Political Science. In the 2003 election, she defeated incumbent Republican Senate Co-President John O. Bennett III, who had been the subject of ethics scandals. Karcher served on the Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee (Vice Chair); the Wagering, Tourism and Historic Preservation Committee (Vice Chair); the Transportation Committee; and the Joint Legislative Committee on Government Consolidation and Shared Services. In the 2007 general election, Karcher lost her bid for another term to Republican candidate Jennifer Beck.

Since 2008, Karcher has owned and operated a lavender farm in Monmouth County, NJ