About Karen Sullivan

Karen Sullivan is a third-generation resident of Mason County with deep roots in the community and a lifelong commitment to its success. Having spent her childhood visiting the area each year, she has witnessed Mason County's growth and transformation from the 1960s to today — shaping her dedication to preserving the character and quality of life that makes it so special.

Mason County is a place of extraordinary natural beauty, from the waters of Hood Canal to the forests of the Olympic foothills. It's also a community where working families are feeling squeezed. Median home values have climbed to $432,400, while median household income sits at $78,359. Karen has seen these pressures firsthand — and those experiences are what motivated her to run for commissioner.

Karen brings over 35 years of experience in banking, including 14 years serving the people of Mason County as a trusted and proven financial advisor. Her professional background has given her a strong understanding of responsible budgeting, economic growth, and the importance of supporting local businesses.

The skills that make a great financial advisor are the same ones Mason County needs in a commissioner: the ability to analyze budgets, weigh trade-offs, plan for the long term, and communicate clearly with the people you serve. Karen brings more than three decades of experience reading balance sheets, forecasting revenue, and making prudent decisions with other people's money — exactly the mindset our county budget demands.

Mason County operates on a total budget of roughly $184 million, with a general fund of about $70.8 million. The county faces growing cost pressures from public defense mandates, staffing shortages, and uncertain timber revenue. Karen understands that every dollar of public money comes from a neighbor's paycheck, and she is committed to treating it with the same care she brings to her clients' finances.

Karen's dedication to service extends beyond the boardroom. She is passionate about keeping Mason County a place where families thrive and visitors return year after year — supporting the local economy, local organizations, and the small businesses that are the backbone of this community.

With Commissioner Sharon Trask stepping down after two terms, District 3 has an open seat for the first time in years. Karen saw this as a moment to step up. She believes in balanced growth, strong public services, and preserving the values that make this county a wonderful place to live.

Mason County commissioners oversee a wide range of services that touch every resident's life — from sheriff's patrols and emergency services to road maintenance, land use planning, and public health programs. The three-member commission sets the county budget, adopts the comprehensive plan, and makes decisions about everything from broadband expansion to Hood Canal environmental protection. Karen wants to bring the same analytical rigor she uses in financial advising to these critical decisions.