Connie served two terms on the Tacoma City Council. She held the position of Deputy Mayor in 2005, and served on several Council Committees-as Chair of the Public Safety, Human Services and Education Committee and a member of the Community and Economic Development Committee, Environment and Public Works Committee, and Joint Municipal Action Committee. Elected to the House of Representatives from 2011-13 representing the 29th Legislative District, Connie served as Vice-Chair of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Committee. She also served on the General Government Appropriations and Oversight Committee, K-12 Education Committee, and Transportation Committee.

Connie Ladenburg, a Tacoma native, married high school sweetheart John Ladenburg in 1969. They have 5 children and 11 grandchildren. Connie received her bachelor's degree in Social work from Pacific Lutheran University and her Master in Social Work from the University of Washington, Seattle.