Getting Elected Is The Easy Part By Karen Keiser Shares Strategies On Getting Cooperation Across The Aisle

On The Table Read Magazine, “the best entertainment eBook magazine UK“, Senator Karen Keiser’s book, Getting Elected Is The Easy Part, is a practical guide for new lawmakers, covering how to turn campaign promises into laws, gain bipartisan support, and master compromise in state legislatures.

Getting Elected Is The Easy Part

For newly elected lawmakers stepping into the intricate world of state legislatures, the transition from campaign trail to legislative floor can feel like entering a labyrinth of tradition, unwritten rules, and arcane procedures.

Washington State Senator Karen Keiser, with over two decades of experience in the Washington State Legislature, offers a lifeline to these political newcomers in her book, Getting Elected is the Easy Part: Working and Winning in the State Legislature. Blending practical advice, documented research, and personal anecdotes, Keiser provides a no-nonsense guide to surviving—and thriving—in the complex ecosystem of state government.

Keiser’s book fills a critical gap in political literature. While countless resources exist to help candidates win elections, few address the reality of what comes next: turning campaign promises into tangible results. Getting Elected is the Easy Part is tailored not only for newly elected state legislators but also for city councilmembers, school board members, citizen activists, advocates, political scientists, and students of government. It offers an insider’s perspective on the challenges of legislative life and actionable strategies for achieving real change.

Across the nation, first-time lawmakers enter state legislatures every two years, often unprepared for the cultural adjustments and institutional hurdles they encounter. Keiser, recognizing this knowledge deficit, distills her extensive experience into a comprehensive manual. From navigating legislative processes to balancing family life with the demands of public office, her book covers a wide range of topics essential for success. Among the highlights:

• Turning Campaign Promises into Legislation: Keiser provides a blueprint for translating voter priorities into actionable bills.
• Securing Bipartisan Support: In an era of polarized politics, she emphasizes the importance of building bridges across party lines.
• The Art of Compromise: A standout chapter explores how to negotiate effectively without sacrificing core values—a skill that feels especially relevant in today’s divisive climate.
• Building Trust: Keiser underscores the importance of relationships with fellow legislators as the foundation for legislative wins.
• Addressing Sex Discrimination and DEI: She tackles the unique challenges faced by underrepresented groups in legislative settings.
• Understanding the System: From procedural intricacies to the role of lobbyists, Keiser demystifies the machinery of state government.

What sets Getting Elected is the Easy Part apart is Keiser’s ability to weave her personal experiences with rigorous research. Having served more than 20 years in the Washington State Legislature, she brings a wealth of firsthand insight to the page. Her stories of triumphs, setbacks, and lessons learned lend authenticity and relatability to the book, making it more than just a dry how-to manual. Instead, it’s a mentorship in written form—perfect for those who lack a seasoned guide to show them the ropes.

One of the book’s most compelling sections is its focus on compromise. In a political landscape often characterized by gridlock and grandstanding, Keiser’s pragmatic approach is refreshing. She argues that effective lawmakers must master the delicate balance of standing firm on principles while finding common ground—a message that resonates far beyond state capitols.

Senator Karen Keiser has crafted an indispensable resource for anyone seeking to make a difference in state government. Getting Elected is the Easy Part is more than a guidebook—it’s a call to action for elected officials to rise above the challenges of their roles and deliver meaningful results. For those willing to learn its lessons, Keiser’s book offers a clear path to legislative landmarks, proving that while getting elected may be the easy part, winning in the legislature is an art worth mastering.

Senator Karen Keiser

Always know your bottom line. Know where you can give and where you have to walk away. And that’s my fundamental approach to negotiating, and it’s been pretty successful over time, but I had to learn it by doing.

The book is especially helpful to women and people of color who are newly elected — to state legislatures, city councils or school boards — who are new to the often male-dominated, hidebound, traditional institutions of government with its arcane procedures and unwritten rules.

People run for election, and they’re coming to the Legislature with the wind at their back thinking, I’m going to change the world. They’d like to get it done overnight. But that doesn’t happen, and they get discouraged. I wrote the book to encourage them to persist and achieve their goals.

-Senator Karen Keiser

Sen. Karen Keiser, a seasoned legislator from Washington’s 33rd District (suburban cities south of Seattle), has driven impactful change across both chambers and party lines in the Washington State Legislature. As Senate President Pro Tempore and chair of the Labor & Commerce Committee, she advocates for working families and women’s economic security.

A key architect of Washington’s health care reforms, she helped fully implement the Affordable Care Act, spearheaded the nation’s leading Paid Family and Medical Leave program, and secured a permanent cap on insulin costs in 2024. She also serves on the Ways & Means Committee and as vice chair of the Rules Committee.

Originally from Merrill, Iowa, Keiser moved to Southern California for her final year of high school. She earned a bachelor’s in political science and a master’s in journalism from UC Berkeley, then worked as a broadcast journalist in Portland, Denver, and Seattle before leading communications for the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO. A mother of three adult children, she enjoys singing, dancing, traveling, and gardening when not legislating.

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