Senator Karen Keiser
33rd District Kent

Official Senate Biography

Democrat: Term expires January, 2011.

Elective Office: Appointed to Senate, 2001, re-elected 2002, 2006; Appointed to House of Representatives in January 1996; Re-elected in November 1996, 1998, 2000.

Education: John F. Kennedy School of Government/Harvard University-Fannie Mae Foundation Fellow; Elliot School of International Affairs/George Washington University-Elliot Fellow; Flemming Fellow; University of California: B.A. Political Science, Masters in Journalism

Occupation: Communications Director, Washington State Labor Council, retired in January 2006.

Honors: 2007 Center for Policy Alternatives State Legislator of the Year, 2007 Washington Health Care Legislator of the Year, 2007 Washington Community Health Centers Health Care Champion, WSCA William Day 2006 Senate Award, 2006 Washington State Residential Care Council Legislator of the Year, 2006 SEIU Legislator of the Year, 2004 Domestic Abuse Women’s Network (DAWN) Leadership Award, 2004 Washington Assoc. for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) Policy Maker of the Year, 2004 Center for Women Policy Studies' National Honor Roll of State Legislators

Civic Organizations and Activities: Board of Directors- Economic Opportunity Institute, 2005-present; Former Board Member-Washington Coalition for Open Government,; Highline Community College Board of Trustees, 1994-2001; Federal Way Public Academy PTSA; Board- Judson Park Retirement Center; Former President-Western Labor Communications Assoc. and Board Member-International Labor Communications Assoc.

Personal: Senator Keiser is a Democrat from the 33rd Legislative District, which includes SeaTac, Des Moines, Normandy Park, and parts of Burien, Kent, Tukwila and Renton. Senator Keiser chairs the Senate Health & Long-Term Care Committee. She also serves as Vice-Chair on the Senate Labor, Commerce, Research & Development Committee, Ways and Means Committee and Rules Committee. Senator Keiser has 3 young adult children: David, Elizabeth, and Marc.

Return to Senator Keiser's home page.