Karen Custer
Challenger Karen Custer is running for Callaway Commissioner, Ward 1 in Panama City, Florida. Election day is November 3, 2026.
Karen Custer is a dedicated community advocate and longtime resident running for Callaway Commissioner in Ward 1. Local residents know her as the “Citizen’s Choice” for her consistent, hands-on service to families, children, and veterans in our city.
Community involvement has always been at the heart of who Karen is. She raised a son who is a respected professional in his own field, and she has continued to help children since then. She has mentored a student at Rutherford Middle School since he was in the third grade, providing guidance and support through his formative years. As a Guardian ad Litem, she advocated for five children right here in Callaway, ensuring their voices were heard and their needs met. Karen serves on the Board of Directors for the Kiwanis Club, an organization committed to, “improving the world one child and one community at a time.” She is also a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 8205 Auxiliary, where she served as a Trustee for three years, honoring and supporting those who have served our country, because Karen’s husband, father, uncles and nephews are veterans, with most serving our country during World War II.
Professionally, Karen brings strong leadership and problem-solving skills and a commitment to doing things right the first time. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering and worked as a Principal Process Engineer, Project Engineer, and Process Safety and Risk Engineer. These roles required ethical decision-making, careful analysis, and leading teams through complex projects in refineries, chemical plants, and oil fields.
Karen and her husband founded and operated a successful general contracting company together while also working in real estate. They embraced the demands of entrepreneurship, often working long hours to build a stable future. After the challenges of the COVID era led them to close the business, Karen chose to dedicate even more time to serving others — which is what she will continue to do while serving as commissioner.
Karen is running for commissioner because she believes Callaway needs new leadership that listens carefully and delivers real solutions. She has heard residents raise the same concerns meeting after meeting for several years, with little change. Karen pledges to continue to treat every citizen with respect, to work to increase transparency in government, to promote responsible growth that protects our neighborhoods, and to put the people of Callaway first.
If you want a commissioner who shows up ready to work, restores decorum in meetings, demands accountability, and protects the quiet enjoyment of our homes, Karen Custer is ready to serve Ward 1 and all of Callaway.
Connect with Karen
Call or text: 850-247-1975 (leave a message if needed)
Email: Vote4KarenCuster@gmail.com
Community involvement has always been at the heart of who Karen is. She raised a son who is a respected professional in his own field, and she has continued to help children since then. She has mentored a student at Rutherford Middle School since he was in the third grade, providing guidance and support through his formative years. As a Guardian ad Litem, she advocated for five children right here in Callaway, ensuring their voices were heard and their needs met. Karen serves on the Board of Directors for the Kiwanis Club, an organization committed to, “improving the world one child and one community at a time.” She is also a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 8205 Auxiliary, where she served as a Trustee for three years, honoring and supporting those who have served our country, because Karen’s husband, father, uncles and nephews are veterans, with most serving our country during World War II.
Professionally, Karen brings strong leadership and problem-solving skills and a commitment to doing things right the first time. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering and worked as a Principal Process Engineer, Project Engineer, and Process Safety and Risk Engineer. These roles required ethical decision-making, careful analysis, and leading teams through complex projects in refineries, chemical plants, and oil fields.
Karen and her husband founded and operated a successful general contracting company together while also working in real estate. They embraced the demands of entrepreneurship, often working long hours to build a stable future. After the challenges of the COVID era led them to close the business, Karen chose to dedicate even more time to serving others — which is what she will continue to do while serving as commissioner.
Karen is running for commissioner because she believes Callaway needs new leadership that listens carefully and delivers real solutions. She has heard residents raise the same concerns meeting after meeting for several years, with little change. Karen pledges to continue to treat every citizen with respect, to work to increase transparency in government, to promote responsible growth that protects our neighborhoods, and to put the people of Callaway first.
If you want a commissioner who shows up ready to work, restores decorum in meetings, demands accountability, and protects the quiet enjoyment of our homes, Karen Custer is ready to serve Ward 1 and all of Callaway.
Connect with Karen
Call or text: 850-247-1975 (leave a message if needed)
Email: Vote4KarenCuster@gmail.com
