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Karen Keiser
Karen Keiser (Democratic Party) was a member of the Washington State Senate, representing District 33. She assumed office in 2001. She left office on December 10, 2024.
Keiser (Democratic Party) ran for election to the Washington State Senate to represent District 33. She will not appear on the ballot for the primary on August 4, 2026.
Keiser was first elected as the Senate president pro tempore in 2017.[1]
Keiser retired from office before the term end.[2]
Previously, Keiser was appointed to the Washington House of Representatives in 1996 and served there until her appointment to the Senate in 2001. Keiser's first political experience began with her service as Precinct Committee Officer of the 33rd District from 1988 to 1995.[3]
Biography
Keiser earned her B.A. in political science from the University of California-Berkeley in 1969. She went on to earn her MSJ in Journalism from the University of California-Berkeley in 1973. She then graduated from John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.
Keiser was a reporter for several TV stations. From 1972 to 1975 she worked for KGW-TV in Oregon. She then worked for KMGH-TV in Colorado from 1975 to 1978. She went on to work for KSTW-TV in Washington from 1979 to 1981. Keiser also was Communications Director for the Washington State Labor Council from 1981 to 2006.[4]
Committee assignments
Note: This membership information was last updated in September 2023. Ballotpedia completes biannual updates of committee membership. If you would like to send us an update, email us at: editor@ballotpedia.org.
2023-2024
Keiser was assigned to the following committees:
- Labor, Commerce & Tribal Affairs Committee, Chair
- Senate Rules Committee, Chair
- Ways & Means Committee
- Joint Planning for Aging and Disability Issues Committee, Vice Chair
2021-2022
Keiser was assigned to the following committees:
- Health & Long Term Care Committee
- Labor, Commerce & Tribal Affairs Committee, Chair
- Senate Rules Committee, Vice chair
- Ways & Means Committee
- Joint Planning for Aging and Disability Issues Committee
2019-2020
Keiser was assigned to the following committees:
- Health & Long Term Care Committee
- Senate Rules Committee, Vice Chair
- Ways & Means Committee
- Labor and Commerce Committee
2017 legislative session
At the beginning of the 2017 legislative session, this legislator served on the following committees:
| Washington committee assignments, 2017 |
|---|
| • Commerce, Labor & Sports |
| • Health Care |
| • Ways & Means |
2015 legislative session
At the beginning of the 2015 legislative session, Keiser served on the following committees:
| Washington committee assignments, 2015 |
|---|
| • Commerce & Labor |
| • Health Care |
| • Ways & Means |
2013-2014
In the 2013-2014 legislative session, Keiser served on the following committees:
| Washington committee assignments, 2013 |
|---|
| • Commerce & Labor |
| • Health Care |
| • Rules |
| • Ways & Means |
| • Joint Administrative Rules Review |
2011-2012
In the 2011-2012 legislative session, Keiser served on the following committees:
| Washington committee assignments, 2011 |
|---|
| • Health & Long-Term Care, Chair |
| • Financial Institutions, Housing & Insurance |
| • Labor, Commerce & Consumer Protection |
| • Rules |
| • Ways and Means |
Sponsored legislation
The following table lists bills this person sponsored as a legislator, according to BillTrack50 and sorted by action history. Bills are sorted by the date of their last action. The following list may not be comprehensive. To see all bills this legislator sponsored, click on the legislator's name in the title of the table.
Elections
2026
See also: Washington State Senate elections, 2026
There are no official candidates yet for this election.
General election
The primary will occur on August 4, 2026. The general election will occur on November 3, 2026. General election candidates will be added here following the primary.
Nonpartisan primary election
There are no candidates on the ballot in the primary at this time.
Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Karen Keiser (D)
2022
See also: Washington State Senate elections, 2022
General election
General election for Washington State Senate District 33
Incumbent Karen Keiser defeated Marliza Melzer in the general election for Washington State Senate District 33 on November 8, 2022.
Candidate%Votes✔ 
Karen Keiser (D) 69.130,332 
Marliza Melzer (R) 
30.713,486 Other/Write-in votes 0.163 
Total votes: 43,881 = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.
Nonpartisan primary election
Nonpartisan primary for Washington State Senate District 33
Incumbent Karen Keiser advanced from the primary for Washington State Senate District 33 on August 2, 2022.
Candidate%Votes✔ Karen Keiser (D) 92.118,985 Other/Write-in votes 7.91,639 Total votes: 20,624 = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.
2018
See also: Washington State Senate elections, 2018
General election
General election for Washington State Senate District 33
Incumbent Karen Keiser defeated Kun Wang in the general election for Washington State Senate District 33 on November 6, 2018.
Candidate%Votes✔ Karen Keiser (D) 71.832,552 Kun Wang (Independent Republican Party) 28.212,769 Total votes: 45,321 = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.
Nonpartisan primary election
Nonpartisan primary for Washington State Senate District 33
Incumbent Karen Keiser and Kun Wang defeated Charles Schaefer in the primary for Washington State Senate District 33 on August 7, 2018.
Candidate%Votes✔ Karen Keiser (D) 68.416,564 ✔ Kun Wang (Independent Republican Party) 24.96,017 
Charles Schaefer (L) 6.71,629 Total votes: 24,210 = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.
2014
- See also: Washington State Senate elections, 2014
Elections for 25 districts in the Washington State Senate took place in 2014. A blanket primary election took place on August 5, 2014. The general election was held on November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was May 17, 2014. Incumbent Karen Keiser (D) and Martin Metz (R) defeated Marylin Taylor (D) in the primary. Keiser defeated Metz in the general election.[5][6][7]
Washington State Senate, District 33 General Election, 2014 Party Candidate Vote % Votes Democratic 
Karen Keiser Incumbent62.7% 18,476 Republican Martin Metz 37.3% 10,994 Total Votes 29,470 Washington State Senate, District 33 Top Two Primary, 2014 Party Candidate Vote % Votes Democratic Karen Keiser Incumbent51.5% 8,364 Republican Martin Metz 36.2% 5,875 Democratic Marylin J. Taylor 12.4% 2,007 Total Votes 16,246 2010
- See also: Washington State Senate elections, 2010
Karen Keiser was re-elected to the Washington State Senate District 33. She ran unopposed in the Democratic primary on August 17, 2010. She defeated Republican Jack Michalek in the November 2, 2010 General Election.
Washington State Senate, District 33 General Election (2010) Candidates Votes Percent Karen Keiser (D)
20,559 59.78% Jack Michalek (R) 13,833 40.22% Washington State Senate, District 33 Primary (2010) Candidates Votes Percent Karen Keiser (D)
11,107 57.77% Jack Michalek (R)
8,120 42.23% 2006
In November 2006, Keiser was re-elected for the 33rd District of the Washington State Senate receiving 18,083 votes.
Keiser raised $223,090 for her campaign.[8]
Washington State Senate, District 33 (2006) Candidates Votes Karen Keiser (D)
18,083 Karen Steele (R) 10,898 Campaign themes
2026
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Karen Keiser did not complete Ballotpedia's 2026 Candidate Connection survey.
2022
Karen Keiser did not complete Ballotpedia's 2022 Candidate Connection survey.
2014
Keiser's campaign website highlighted the following issues:[9]
- Excerpt: "Excellent educational opportunities from pre-school through college."
- Excerpt: "Excellent health care that is affordable and accessible to all."
- Excerpt: "Economic security for our hard working families and small business owners."
Political positions
Debt negotiations
Keiser is one of the members of a bipartisan group organized by the National Conference of Legislatures called the Task Force on Federal Deficit Reduction (TFFDR). Consisting of 23 state lawmakers from 17 states,[10] the group went to Capitol Hill on September 21, 2011, to urge the Congressional Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction to cut the nation's debt but not impose severe budget cuts on the states.
TFFDR urged the Committee to consider new revenue as a possibility, instead of just focusing on budget cuts as House Speaker John Boehner has proposed. The group specifically proposed passage of the "Main Street Fairness Act," which would allow states to tax online retailers.[11]
Campaign finance summary
Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.
Endorsements
2014
In 2014, Keiser's endorsements included the following:[12]
- Seattle Times
Personal
Note: Please contact us if the personal information below requires an update.
Keiser is divorced with three children, named David, Elizabeth and Marc.
Scorecards
A scorecard evaluates a legislator’s voting record. Its purpose is to inform voters about the legislator’s political positions. Because scorecards have varying purposes and methodologies, each report should be considered on its own merits. For example, an advocacy group’s scorecard may assess a legislator’s voting record on one issue while a state newspaper’s scorecard may evaluate the voting record in its entirety.
Ballotpedia is in the process of developing an encyclopedic list of published scorecards. Some states have a limited number of available scorecards or scorecards produced only by select groups. It is Ballotpedia’s goal to incorporate all available scorecards regardless of ideology or number.
Click here for an overview of legislative scorecards in all 50 states. To contribute to the list of Washington scorecards, email suggestions to editor@ballotpedia.org.
2024
In 2024, the Washington State Legislature was in session from January 8 to March 7.
- Legislators are scored based on their votes on legislation supported by the organization.
- Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to the state’s business community.
- Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to home building industry issues.
- Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues.
- Legislators are scored on how they voted on firearm policies.
- Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to environmental issues.
- Legislators are scored on whether they voted for or against WSLC's position.
2023
To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2023, click [show]. In 2023, the Washington State Legislature was in session from January 9 to April 23.
- Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.
- Legislators are scored on how they voted on firearm policies.
- Legislators are scored on whether they voted for or against WSLC's position.
2022
To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2022, click [show]. In 2022, the Washington State Legislature was in session from January 10 to March 10.
- Legislators are scored based on their votes on legislation supported by the organization.
- Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to home building industry issues.
- Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues.
- Legislators are scored on how they voted on firearm policies.
- Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to environmental issues.
- Legislators are scored on whether they voted for or against WSLC's position.
2021
To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2021, click [show]. In 2021, the Washington State Legislature was in session from January 11 to April 25.
- Legislators are scored based on their votes on legislation supported by the organization.
- Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to home building industry issues.
- Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.
- Legislators are scored on how they voted on firearm policies.
- Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to environmental issues.
- Legislators are scored on whether they voted for or against WSLC's position.
2020
To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2020, click [show]. In 2020, the Washington State Legislature was in session from January 13 to March 12.
- Legislators are scored based on their votes on legislation supported by the organization.
- Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to the state’s business community.
- Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to home building industry issues.
- Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues.
- Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.
- Legislators are scored on how they voted on firearm policies.
- Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to environmental issues.
- Legislators are scored on whether they voted for or against WSLC's position.
2019
To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2019, click [show]. In 2019, the Washington State Legislature was in session from January 14 through April 28.
- Legislators are scored based on their votes on legislation supported by the organization.
- Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to reproductive health issues.
- Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.
- Legislators are scored on how they voted on firearm policies.
- Legislators are scored on whether they voted for or against WSLC's position.
2018
To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2018, click [show]. In 2018, the Washington State Legislature, second session, was in session from January 8 through March 8.
- Legislators are scored based on their votes on legislation supported by the organization.
- Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to the state’s business community.
- Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to home building industry issues.
- Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.
- Legislators are scored on how they voted on firearm policies.
- Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to environmental issues.
- Legislators are scored on whether they voted for or against WSLC's position.
2017
To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2017, click [show]. In 2017, the Washington State Legislature, first session, was in session from January 9 through April 23. There were also special sessions. The first special session was April 24 through May 23. The second special session was May 23 through June 21. The third special session was June 21 through July 20.
- Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to the state’s business community.
- Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to home building industry issues.
- Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to reproductive health issues.
- Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.
- Legislators are scored on how they voted on firearm policies.
- Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to environmental issues.
- Legislators are scored on whether they voted for or against WSLC's position.
2016
To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2016, click [show]. In 2016, the 64th Washington State Legislature, second session, was in session from January 11 through March 10. The legislature held a special session from March 11 to March 29 to pass a supplemental budget.
- Association of Washington Business: 2016 Voting Record
- Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to the state’s business community.
- National Federation of Independent Business/Washington: 2016 Voting Record
- Legislators are scored on their stances on small business issues.
- The American Conservative Union: 2016 Scorecard
- Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.
- Washington Alliance for Gun Responsibility: 2016 Scorecard
- Legislators are scored on how they voted on firearm policies.
- Washington Conservation Voters: 2015-2016 scorecard
- Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to environmental issues.
- Washington State Labor Council: 2016 Voting Record
- Legislators are scored on whether they voted for or against WSLC's position.
2015
To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2015, click [show]. In 2015, the 64th Washington State Legislature, first session, was in session from January 12 through April 24. The legislature was in special session from April 29 to May 28, May 29 to June 27 and June 28 to July 10.[13]
- Association of Washington Business: 2015 Voting Record
- Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to the state’s business community.
- Greater Spokane Incorporated: 2015 Scorecard
- Legislators from the greater-Spokane area are scored on if they voted for/against funding for projects in the Spokane area.
- The American Conservative Union: 2015 Scorecard
- Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.
- Washington Conservation Voters: 2015-2016 scorecard
- Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to environmental issues.
- Washington State Labor Council: 2015 Voting Record
- Legislators are scored on whether they voted for or against WSLC's position.
2014
To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2014, click [show]. In 2014, the 63rd Washington State Legislature, second session, was in session from January 13 to March 14.[14]
- Association of Washington Business: 2014 Voting Record
- Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to the state’s business community.
- Children's Campaign Fund: 2014 Scorecard
- Legislators are scored on their votes for or against CCF's position.
- National Federation of Independent Business/Washington: 2013-14 Voting Record
- Legislators are scored on their stances on small business issues.
- The American Conservative Union: 2014 Scorecard
- Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.
- Washington Conservation Voters: 2013-2014 scorecard
- Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to environmental issues.
- Washington State Labor Council: 2014 Voting Record
- Legislators are scored on whether they voted for or against WSLC's position.
2013
To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2013, click [show]. In 2013, the 63rd Washington State Legislature, first session, was in session from January 14 to April 29.
- Association of Washington Business: 2013 Voting Record
- Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to the state’s business community.
- Children's Campaign Fund: 2013 Scorecard
- Legislators are scored on their votes for or against CCF's position.
- National Federation of Independent Business/Washington: 2013-14 Voting Record
- Legislators are scored on their stances on small business issues.
- Washington Conservation Voters: 2013-2014 scorecard
- Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to environmental issues.
- Washington State Labor Council: 2013 Voting Record
- Legislators are scored on whether they voted for or against WSLC's position.
2012
To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2012, click [show]. In 2012, the 62nd Washington State Legislature, second session, was in session from January 9 to March 8.[15]
- Association of Washington Business: 2012 Voting Record
- Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to the state’s business community.
- Washington Community Action Network: 2012 legislative scorecard
- Legislators are scored on their votes on 25 bills identified by WCAN to have "the most direct impact on racial equity."
- Washington Conservative Union: 2012 scorecard
- Legislators are scored on whether they voted for or against WCU's position.
- Washington Conservation Voters: 2011-2012 scorecard
- Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to environmental issues.
- Washington State Labor Council: 2012 Voting Record
- Legislators are scored on whether they voted for or against WSLC's position.
2011
To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2011, click [show]. In 2011, the 62nd Washington State Legislature, first session, was in session from January 10 through April 24.
- Association of Washington Business: 2011 Voting Record
- Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to the state’s business community.
- Washington Conservation Voters: 2011-2012 scorecard
- Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to environmental issues.
- Washington State Labor Council: 2011 Voting Record
- Legislators are scored on whether they voted for or against WSLC's position.
Missed Votes Report
- See also: Washington House of Representatives and Washington State Senate
In March 2014, Washington Votes, a legislative information website, released its annual Missed Votes Report, which provides detailed missed roll call votes on bills for every state legislator during the 2014 legislative session.[16] The 2014 regular session included a total of 515 votes in the State House and 396 in the State Senate, as well as 1,372 bills introduced total in the legislature and 237 bills passed. Out of all roll call votes, 90 individual legislators did not miss any votes. Three individual legislators missed more than 50 votes.[16] Keiser missed 4 votes in a total of 1017 roll calls.
Freedom Foundation
The Freedom Foundation releases its Big Spender List annually. The Institute ranks all Washington legislators based on their total proposed tax and fee increases. To find each legislator’s total, the Institute adds up the 10-year tax increases or decreases, as estimated by Washington’s Office of Financial Management, of all bills sponsored or co-sponsored by that legislator.[17]
2012
Keiser proposed a 10-year decrease in state taxes and fees of $3.01 billion, the 44th highest amount of proposed new net taxes and fees of the 46 Washington state senators on the Freedom Foundation’s 2012 Big Spender List.
- See also: Washington Freedom Foundation Legislative Scorecard (2012)
The Freedom Foundation also issued its 2012 Informed Voter Guide for Washington State voters, including a legislative score card documenting how Washington State legislators voted upon bills the Foundation deemed important legislation. The legislation analyzed covered budget, taxation, and pension issues.[18] A
sign indicates a bill more in line with the Foundation's stated goals, and a 
sign indicates a bill out of step with the Foundation's values. Here's how Keiser voted on the specific pieces of legislation:
2012 Senate Scorecard - Karen Keiser Bill #6636 (Balanced budget requirement)
Bill #5967 (Senate Republicans budget)
Bill #6582 (Local transportation tax increases)
Bill #6378 (Pension reforms)
N N Y N See also
2026 Elections
What's on the ballot? U.S. Congress U.S. Congress special elections State executives State legislatures State courts Ballot measures Municipal government School boards Election analysis hub
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Senate Democrats, "Keiser to serve as President Pro Tempore of the Washington State Senate," November 21, 2017
- ↑ Washington State Standard, "Three WA Senate Democrats are leaving their jobs. Here’s what happens next," November 22, 2024
- ↑ Washington State Legislature, "Legislative District Map," accessed April 10, 2014
- ↑ Project Vote Smart, "Biography," accessed April 14, 2014
- ↑ Washington Secretary of State, "2014 Candidates Who Have Filed," accessed May 20, 2014
- ↑ Washington Secretary of State, "August 5, 2014, Official Primary Results," accessed August 5, 2014
- ↑ Washington Secretary of State, "Official general election results, 2014," accessed December 2, 2014
- ↑ Follow the Money, "2008 campaign contributions," accessed April 10, 2014
- ↑ Karen Keiser, "Priorities," accessed July 11, 2014
- ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "Task Force on Federal Deficit Reduction," accessed May 15, 2014
- ↑ Stateline, "State legislators want revenue on table in debt talks," September 22, 2011
- ↑ Seattle Times, "Editorial: The Times recommends to return Keiser to state Senate in 33rd District," July 9, 2014
- ↑ Multi State, "2015 State Legislative Session Dates," accessed July 13, 2015
- ↑ StateScape, "Session schedules," accessed July 23, 2014
- ↑ StateScape, "Session schedules," accessed July 23, 2014
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 Washington Policy Center, "2014 Missed Votes Report for Legislators Released," March 18, 2014
- ↑ Freedom Foundation, "2012 Big Spender List," accessed April 10, 2014
- ↑ My Freedom Foundation, "Home," accessed June 18, 2014
Political offices Preceded by
-Washington State Senate District 33
2001-2024Succeeded by
Tina Orwall (D)Preceded by
-Washington House of Representatives
1996-2001Succeeded by
-
Current members of the Washington State SenateLeadershipMajority Leader:Jamie PedersenMinority Leader:John BraunSenatorsDistrict 1Derek Stanford (D)District 2Jim McCune (R)District 3Marcus Riccelli (D)District 4District 5Victoria Hunt (D)District 6Jeff Holy (R)District 7Shelly Short (R)District 8Matt Boehnke (R)District 9Mark Schoesler (R)District 10Ron Muzzall (R)District 11Bob Hasegawa (D)District 12Keith Goehner (R)District 13Judith Warnick (R)District 14Curtis King (R)District 15Nikki Torres (R)District 16Perry Dozier (R)District 17Paul Harris (R)District 18Adrian Cortes (D)District 19Jeff Wilson (R)District 20John Braun (R)District 21Marko Liias (D)District 22Jessica Bateman (D)District 23Drew Hansen (D)District 24Mike Chapman (D)District 25Chris Gildon (R)District 26District 27Yasmin Trudeau (D)District 28T'wina Nobles (D)District 29Steve Conway (D)District 30Claire Wilson (D)District 31Phil Fortunato (R)District 32Jesse Salomon (D)District 33Tina Orwall (D)District 34Emily Alvarado (D)District 35Drew MacEwen (R)District 36Noel Frame (D)District 37Rebecca Saldana (D)District 38June Robinson (D)District 39Keith Wagoner (R)District 40Liz Lovelett (D)District 41Lisa Wellman (D)District 42Sharon Shewmake (D)District 43Jamie Pedersen (D)District 44John Lovick (D)District 45Manka Dhingra (D)District 46Javier Valdez (D)District 47Claudia Kauffman (D)District 48Vandana Slatter (D)District 49Democratic Party (30)Republican Party (19)
