Elected
Experience: State Senator, Thurston County, 6 terms; former State Representative, 2 terms;
former Thurston County Commissioner, 2 terms; former Lacey Mayor and City
Council Member (firstwoman).
Other Professional Experience: Washington State Association of Counties,
President (first woman); The Evergreen State College, Adjunct Faculty, Master
of Public Administration Program. Leader of state international friendship and
trade delegations to Asia.
Education: University of Washington: BA and Master of Public Administration;
Yale University Summer Language Institute; Roosevelt High School, Seattle.
Community Service: Boy Scouts of America, Tumwater Council, former Vice
President and Treasurer; Washington-Hyogo (Japan) Sister State 50th Anniversary
Celebration, Chair; Nisqually RiverBasin Task Force.
Statement: Experience matters.
Karen Fraser is the only candidate with extensive state, city, and county
government, and state level international relations experience. A six-term
State Senator, she has been a major, progressive leader for budget, policy,
parliamentary debate, and Senate administration. She was a Thurston County
Commissioner, the first woman President of the Washington State Association of
Counties, and the first woman Mayor of Lacey.
She would become the first woman Lt. Governor---achieving better representation
of our population. She will not seek higher office, and will focus on doing
this job well. Presiding over the Senate
is the top duty of the Lt. Governor. She would be a leader to promote civility,
respect, and ethics. Her top priority: promote prosperity that benefits every
person in the state. This includes: social and economic justice for all, family
wage jobs, fully funding K-12 needs, reducing student debt, achieving clean air
and water, addressing climate change, investing in infrastructure, a**uring a
safety net for the vulnerable, and a**uring that government works for the
people.
Endorsements: three former Senate Presidents Pro Tem, labor unions, Democratic
groups, progressive organizations, WA Women's Political Caucus, over 40 current
and former legislators and statewide officials.