Karen Cecile DeSanto (née Rylander; born July 3, 1964) is an American educator, Democratic politician, and former entertainer from Baraboo, Wisconsin.
Earlier in her career, she performed with her former husband, Greg DeSanto, as professional circus clowns in a husband-and-wife act.
Her performances have taken her to the stages of Carnegie Hall, the State Capital of California, and the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Karen is also a published author with articles in Rosie magazine and the children's book, Star Saves the Circus.
Together with her husband, the DeSantos have served as consultants for Feld Entertainment and have directed the clown material for many editions of Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey.
Wisconsin had just undergone a dramatic legislative redistricting, after the state Supreme Court struck down a decade-old Republican gerrymander.
Greg DeSanto graduated in 1985 from the acclaimed Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Clown College.
Greg continues to serve as executive director of the International Clown Hall of Fame and Research Center in Baraboo.