Replacing Burien State Senator Karen Keiser

by Martin Barrett. On March 6, 2024, State Senator Karen Keiser, representing the 33rd Legislative District (which includes Burien), announced her intent for early retirement. Sen. Keiser will not finish out her term, which was set to expire on January 11, 2027.[caption id="attachment_16591" align="aligncenter" width="357"]

Senator Karen Kaiser - 33rd Legislative District - Des Moines (image senatedemocrats.wa.gov/keiser)[/caption]The process of filling the empty seat has several steps. We reached out to the Senate Democratic Caucus for clarity. Mr. Kenneth Fockele of Communications responded by email:

“Sen. Keiser plans to step down in the fall when some of the task forces she is on finish their work, so the process will begin then.

The position is not up for election this year, so when Sen. Keiser retires, the PCOs in the Legislative District will nominate three candidates, and the King County Council will choose one of those three to serve until the next general election.

Both Rep. Mia Gregerson and Rep. Tina Orwall have expressed interest publicly in potentially seeking that appointment, but the process has not begun yet.

When Sen. Keiser’s successor is appointed this fall, they will serve until November 2025, when there will be a special election for this seat.

The person who wins that special election will take office as soon as it is certified and serve through the next regular election for the position, which will be November 2026. If there is a change in who wins that election, the succession will occur when the regular term ends on January 11, 2027."

The 33rd District covers most of Burien, Des Moines, Seatac, Kent, and Normandy Park. If you are interested in the next Senator representing Burien’s interest in the Washington State Legislature, please contact your precinct PCO.