Karen Fraser

Karen Fraser (born September 12, 1944) was a Democratic Washington State Senator who served 24 years in the Washington State Senate, 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.[1]

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 2017
Preceded byLela Kreidler
Succeeded bySam Hunt
Personal details
Born (1944-09-12) September 12, 1944
Seattle, Washington
Political partyDemocratic Party
Alma materUniversity of Washington
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.[2]

Education

Fraser graduated from the University of Washington with a bachelor's degree in sociology and a Master of Public Administration from the university's Daniel J. Evans School of Public Affairs. She was founder of the Legislative International Caucus.

Personal life

Fraser was born in Seattle and currently resides in Thurston County, Washington. She has one daughter and two grandchildren. She enjoys outdoor recreation, such as hiking, sailboat racing, and marathon running, and travel.

See also

References
  1. "Senator Karen Fraser biography stub on Washington Senate web site". Archived from the original on 2008-01-16. Retrieved 2008-01-15.
  2. "Olympia Woodland Trail Gets a New Name". Thurston County Chamber. Retrieved 15 May 2019.
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