Karen Fraser

Karen Riese Fraser (born September 12, 1944) is an American politician who served as a Democratic Washington State Senator for 24 years, representing the 22nd Legislative District, which includes Olympia, Lacey, Tumwater, and northern Thurston County. She held many senior leadership positions in the Senate including: Democratic Caucus Chair; Vice Chair of the Ways and Means Committee; Chair of the Capital Budget; chair of the Senate's administrative committee; and chair of policy committees pertaining to environment, energy, water, parks and recreation, shorelines, Puget Sound, and state employee pensions. She served on the Rules Committee and on many other policy committees. She was a leader in state level international relations.

For the Canadian volleyball player, see Karen Fraser (volleyball).
Karen Fraser
Member of the Washington Senate
from the 22nd district
In office
January 11, 1993 – January 9, 2017
Preceded byMike Kreidler
Succeeded bySam Hunt
Member of the Washington House of Representatives
from the 22nd district
In office
January 9, 1989 – January 11, 1993
Preceded byJolene Unsoeld
Succeeded bySandra Singery Romero
Thurston County Commissioner
In office
January 1, 1981 – January 1, 1989
Succeeded byDiane Oberquell
6th Mayor of Lacey, Washington
In office
January 22, 1976 – November 30, 1980
Preceded byWilliam Bush
Succeeded byMark Brown
Personal details
Born
Karen Riese Fraser

(1944-09-12) September 12, 1944
Seattle, Washington, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
Children1
Alma materUniversity of Washington (BA, MPA)
WebsiteOfficial

Prior to serving in the Senate, she served four years as State Representative. She served as a local elected official for 15 years, including becoming the first woman mayor of Lacey, the second woman Thurston County Commissioner, and the first woman President of the Washington State Association of Counties.

Fraser was an unsuccessful candidate for Lieutenant Governor in the 2016 primary election, which she ultimately lost to fellow Democrat Cyrus Habib.

In October 2017, the Olympia Woodland Trail was renamed to the Karen Fraser Woodland Trail in her honor.

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