Karen Burstein

Karen S. Burstein (born July 20, 1942) is an American Democratic Party politician, attorney, civil servant, and former judge from the State of New York. She served in the New York State Senate, worked in the administration of Gov. Mario Cuomo, chaired the New York State Civil Service Commission, became Auditor General of New York City, and then served as a Judge of the New York City Family Court. Burstein was the Democratic nominee for Attorney General of New York in 1994, but was defeated.

Early life and education Burstein was born on July 20, 1942 Burstein's mother was the first woman State Supreme Court Justice on Long Island. She was the first female student body president at the Woodmere Academy. in 1971.

Burstein was elected to the New York State Senate in 1972. She represented a low-income section of southeast Queens as well as the wealthy Five Towns region of Long Island. As a senator, Burstein "helped negotiate major legislation on domestic violence, which has been a continuing concern of hers". She is considered to be a progressive. In 1987, Burstein was appointed Auditor General of New York City by New York City Mayor Ed Koch. New York City Mayor David Dinkins appointed Burstein to a judgeship on the New York City Family Court in 1990.

Burstein resigned her Family Court judgeship in 1994 to seek the Democratic nomination for New York Attorney General. The New York Times called Molinari's remarks "gutter politics."

Burstein unsuccessfully sought a New York County Surrogate's Court judgeship in 1996.

Personal life

Burstein married Eric Lane in 1972. In 1990, during a judicial swearing-in ceremony, Burstein publicly acknowledged her female romantic partner. As of 1994, Burstein publicly identified as a lesbian.

Burstein's sister, Ellen, was a television news reporter who died at the age of 59 after suffering from multiple sclerosis.