The Honourable Karen Casey was first elected to the Nova Scotia Legislature in June of 2006 and re-elected in June 2009. She has served in the portfolios of Minister of Education and Minister of Health. Casey is a former Assistant Superintendent of the Chignecto-Central Regional School Board and a former Principal of North River Elementary School. She is also the former chair of the Colchester - East Hants Health Authority.

A graduate of the Nova Scotia Teachers College, she also has a B.A. from Mount Saint Vincent University, a B.Ed. from Mount Saint Vincent University and a M. Ed. (Administration) from Saint Mary's University in Halifax.

Karen lives in Valley, Colchester County with her husband Glen. She also has a summer home in Bass River on the Minas Basin. Karen and Glen have two grown sons and one grandson.