Biography

Sen. Keiser has been a Washington State Senator since 2001 and has earned a reputation as a tireless advocate for improving the nation’s outdated, inefficient and fragmented health care system. Before coming to the senate, she served in the state House of Representatives from 1996 to 2001.

Karen is chair of the Senate Health & Long-Term Care Committee, where she works tirelessly to improve the state’s health care delivery system. She also sits on the Senate Financial Institutions, Housing & Insurance, Labor, Commerce, & Consumer Protection, Rules and Ways & Means Committees.

The former journalist and communications director holds a bachelor’s degree in political science and a master’s in journalism from the University of California.

Karen has earned numerous awards for her legislative and civic achievements including:

• 2009 Progressive States Network State Leader Award
• 2009 Children’s Alliance Champions for Children Award
• 2008 Lifelong Aids Alliance Legislator of the Year
• 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

In her spare time Karen enjoys gardening, spending time with her family and friends, international travel and attending community service events.

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