Sen. Karen Keiser represents Washington’s 33rd Legislative District, which contains a number of suburban cities south of Seattle, including SeaTac, Kent, Des Moines, and Burien. As President Pro Tempore, she presides over the Washington State Senate when the lieutenant governor is unavailable.1
As chair of the Senate Labor & Commerce Committee, Sen. Keiser champions policies that help working families and improve women’s economic security. She has been a pivotal leader in reforming Washington’s health care system, fully implementing the Affordable Care Act, and passing Washington’s nation-leading Paid Family and Medical Leave program.
Sen. Keiser serves on the budget-writing Ways & Means Committee and as vice chair of the Rules Committee. Born and raised in rural Iowa, she moved to California for her senior year in high school. She attended the University of California, Berkeley, receiving a bachelor’s degree in political science and a master’s degree in journalism.
Before her political career, Sen. Keiser worked as a broadcast journalist in Portland, Denver, and Seattle. She and her husband have three children. Sen. Keiser was appointed to the Washington State House of Representatives in 1995, won her first election in 1996, and has been re-elected six times.
Outside of office, she enjoys singing, dancing, and gardening.
