Karen Marie Kirsch (née Weber; born April 29, 1968) is an American marketing professional and Democratic politician from Greenfield, Wisconsin.
The law stripped public employee unions of their collective bargaining rights and ignited months of protests at the Wisconsin State Capitol.
The Democratic incumbent, Daniel Riemer, announced in April 2024 that he would not run for a seventh term, leaving an open seat.
Kirsch announced her candidacy to succeed Riemer just a few days after he dropped out; she did not face an opponent for the Democratic nomination.
Karen Kirsch was one of two daughters born to Harvey Weber and Carol Mae (née Achsel).
Her father was a member of the United Steelworkers union, working for 30 years at the Continental Can Company, and was active in the Democratic Party of Wisconsin.