Kim Lee Ward (née Renko) is an American politician who served as acting lieutenant governor of Pennsylvania and currently serves as President pro tempore of the Pennsylvania Senate. She represents the 39th Senatorial District which covers the central portions of Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania.[1] Following the resignation of Lieutenant Governor John Fetterman, Ward became acting lieutenant governor of Pennsylvania on January 3, 2023, and served (completing Fetterman's term) until January 17, 2023. She is the first female president pro tempore of the Pennsylvania Senate. She was succeeded by Austin Davis as Lieutenant Governor.
Kim Ward | |
|---|---|
 | |
| President pro tempore of the Pennsylvania Senate | |
| Assumed office November 30, 2022 Acting: November 30, 2022 – January 3, 2023 | |
| Preceded by | Jake Corman |
| Lieutenant Governor of Pennsylvania | |
Acting | |
| In office January 3, 2023 – January 17, 2023 | |
| Governor | Tom Wolf |
| Preceded by | John Fetterman |
| Succeeded by | Austin Davis |
| Majority Leader of the Pennsylvania Senate | |
| In office November 12, 2020 – November 30, 2022 | |
| Preceded by | Jake Corman |
| Succeeded by | Joe Pittman |
| Member of the Pennsylvania Senate from the 39th district | |
| Assumed office January 6, 2009 | |
| Preceded by | Bob Regola |
| Personal details | |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Thomas Ward |
| Children | 3 |
| Education | Community College of Allegheny County University of Pittsburgh Middle Tennessee State University |
| Website | Official website |
Early career
editWard started her political involvement during the 1994 US Senate Campaign of former Senator Rick Santorum, when she served as the County Chair for his Westmoreland County campaign. In 1999, she ran the successful election of Scott Connor to County Commissioner in Westmoreland County. She served as the Southwest Regional Director for Santorum's 2000 re-election bid.[2]
From 2000 until 2002 Ward owned and operated a consulting and government outreach firm called Commonwealth Political Associates.
In 2001, Ward won election as a Hempfield Township Supervisor.[3]
In 2002, Ward joined the administration of Pennsylvania Governor Mark Schweiker.
Following her time with Schweiker's administration, Ward returned to her political consulting, running 84 Lumber founder Joe Hardy's successful election as Commissioner in Fayette County, Pennsylvania.[4]
In 2004 Ward served as the Southwest Political Director for the re-election campaign of President George W Bush.[5] She would reprise this role for former Senator Rick Santorum's 2006 re-election campaign. [6]
Westmoreland County Commissioner
editIn late 2006, Ward announced that she would run for Westmoreland County Commissioner in the 2007 election.[7] Ward would form a partnership with Penn Township Commissioner George Dunbar, who was endorsed by the Westmoreland Republican Committee in a concerted effort to win a majority in the County Courthouse for the first time in over 50 years.[8][9]
While Dunbar fell short, Ward became the first woman elected as County Commissioner in over three decades.[10] She was succeeded by Charles Anderson.[11]
Pennsylvania State Senate
editElections
edit2008
editIn 2008, Ward was called upon to fill the vacancy on the ballot created by State Senator Bob Regola's withdrawal from consideration.[12] Ward entered the race in August and engaged one of the most expensive campaigns in the district's history against the Democratic nominee, Tony Bompiani. The campaign centered around Bompiani's time as a Hempfield Area School Board member and Ward's time as a Hempfield Township Supervisor[13]
Ward won the election with 54% of the vote.[14]
2012
editIn 2012 Kim Ward was courted to run against US Senator Bob Casey.[15] She opted to run for re-election to her state senate seat, which she did by winning both Republican and Democratic nominations.[16]
Tenure
edit2009–2010 legislative session
editSenator Ward was sworn into her first term on January 6, 2009. She was appointed as Vice Chair of the Banking and Insurance Committee as well as being a member of the Communications and Technology, Consumer Protection & Professional Licensure, Public Health & Welfare and the Veterans Affairs & Emergency Preparedness Committees.[17]
Ward's first year in the Senate was marked by a long budget process which lasted into October, well past the June 30th deadline. She was critical of Governor Ed Rendell's leadership and his call for tax increases during the impasse.[18]
On October 27 of 2010, Ward saw her first piece of legislation signed into law: Senate Bill 1181. The bill made amendments to insurance law in Pennsylvania.[19]
During this legislative session, Ward began her efforts to reform Methadone treatment practices in Pennsylvania. Ward sponsored SR 348, which mandated an audit of Pennsylvania's methadone treatment programs. The Senate passed SR 348 in June 2010.[20] Ward further called for reforms in the oversight of the program in a letter to the Department of Public Welfare.[21]
2011–2012 legislative session
editIn the 2011–2012 Legislative Session, Ward renewed her push to reform methadone treatment practices in Pennsylvania. Governor Tom Corbett signed Ward's Senate Bill 638 into law, which mandated that those who were treated for addiction with methadone and used state funded transportation had to use their nearest methadone clinic.[22]
On April 23, 2012, at a conference, Ward proposed a legislation law named "Jennifer's Law" (named after Jennifer Daugherty, a mentally disabled woman who was tortured to death).[23] The proposal would make it illegal for someone to witness a violent crime and fail to report it to police. Violation to report the crime would be a misdemeanor of the third degree.[24]
Ward also led the effort to institute E-Verify in Pennsylvania. Ward introduced Senate Bill 637, which was passed, and mandates that all contractors within the state verify that their employees are documented as eligible employees.[25]
Ward also passed bills providing benefits for Volunteer Fire Companies (SB 866),[26] giving certain municipalities the ability to require police officers to live in the municipality (SB 1572),[27] and restricting insurance companies from mandating prices on dental procedures that they don't cover (SB 1144.)[28]
Following the Penn State Child Abuse Scandal, Ward, as the Chair of the Senate Aging and Youth Committee, introduced Senate Resolution 250 which created the Task Force on Child Protection.[29] The Task Force would issue a report in November 2012 which would lead to legislation in the 2013–2014 legislative session.[30]
2013–2014 legislative session
editState Senator Kim Ward was appointed chair of the Economic, Community, Economic & Recreational Development Committee. She also serves as the Vice Chair of the Aging and Youth Committee and as a member of the Banking & Insurance, Environmental Resources & Energy, Public Health & Welfare and Rules & Executive Nominations committees.[31][32]
Ward, along with a bipartisan group of State Senators, introduced legislation recommended by the Child Protection Task Force. Ward's bills would alter who is a mandated reporter of child abuse and increase penalties for failing to report suspected child abuse.[33]
2019–2020 legislative session
editWard was the sponsor of SB 1166, a proposed constitutional amendment which would require the General Assembly to vote to approve extending an emergency declaration beyond 21 days.[34]
2020-2021 legislative session
editWard opposed an amendment to Act 16, the medical marijuana law, that would have allowed medical patients to grow six plants at home. Ward was the Senator that made the motion to table the homegrow amendment introduced by Senator Shariff Street in association with House Bill 1024. [35]
2020 Presidential Election
editFollowing pressure by President Donald Trump, Ward was part of an effort calling on Congress to reject President-elect Joe Biden's win in Pennsylvania.[36]
President pro tempore of the Pennsylvania Senate
editIn November 2022, Ward was chosen to succeed President pro tempore of the Pennsylvania Senate Jake Corman on an interim basis from December 1 to January 2.[37] On January 3, 2023, she was elected as the permanent President pro tempore for the legislative session, becoming Pennsylvania's first female President pro tempore.[38] Following the resignation of Lieutenant Governor John Fetterman, Ward became acting lieutenant governor of Pennsylvania on January 3, 2023, and served (completing Fetterman's term) until January 17, 2023.[39][40]
Personal life
editWard grew up in Meadowlands, Pennsylvania, the daughter of Roger and Joanna Renko. She attended Community College of Allegheny County, University of Pittsburgh, and Middle Tennessee State University. Ward currently lives in Greensburg with her husband, Dr. Thomas Ward. She has three grown sons, Tom, Matthew, and Michael.[41]
References
edit- ^ "Senator Kim Ward". Archived from the original on 2013-11-26.
- ^ "Hempfield supervisor to aid Hardy election effort".
- ^ "Westmoreland County Election Results". Archived from the original on 2014-11-19.
- ^ "Hempfield supervisor to aid Hardy election effort".
- ^ "Bush campaign off to early start in state".
- ^ "Bush 'hack' fires back at John Kerry".
- ^ "Ward announces run for county commissioner".
- ^ "GOP panel endorses 2 Westmoreland commissioner candidates".
- ^ Belser, Ann (December 10, 2008). "Sony to close plant in Westmoreland". The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved December 29, 2011.
- ^ "Ward to be 1st female commissioner in 3 decades".
- ^ "Ceraso resigns as Westmoreland County commissioner". allBusiness.com. 2010. Retrieved December 29, 2011.
- ^ "County GOP endorses Ward to replace Regola".
- ^ "Bompiani campaign facing fines".
- ^ "Westmoreland County 2008 Election Results". Archived from the original on 2014-11-19.
- ^ "EXCLUSIVE: State Senator Kim Ward Emerges as Potential Challenger to Bob Casey".
- ^ "Ward appears to lock up keeping state Senate seat".
- ^ "Senator Kim Ward Sworn In to Represent 39th Senatorial District". Archived from the original on 2013-04-11.
- ^ "Ward Calls for Governor to Put his Money...Where his Mouth Is". Archived from the original on 2013-04-11.
- ^ "Senate Bill 1181- Regular Session 2009–2010".
- ^ "Regular Session 2009–2010 Senate Resolution 348".
- ^ "Ward Calls on D.P.W. to End limitless methadone subsidies". Archived from the original on 2013-04-11.
- ^ "SB 638 Regular Session 2011–2012".
- ^ "Legislator proposes 'Jennifer's Law'". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved 2020-12-02.
- ^ Jennifer's Law - proposed legislation by Pennsylvania state senator Kim Ward
- ^ "SB 637 Regular Session 2011–2012".
- ^ "SB 866 Regular Session 2011–2012".
- ^ "SB 1572 Regular Session 2011–2012".
- ^ "SB 1144 Regular Session 2011–2012".
- ^ "Senate Resolution 250 Regular Session 2011–2012".
- ^ "Task Force on Child Protection Calls for Sweeping Changes to Laws Governing Child Protection in Pennsylvania". Archived from the original on 2013-04-11.
- ^ "Senate Standing Committee Chairs for the 2013-14 Legislative Session". Archived from the original on 2013-03-23.
- ^ "Committee Assignments 2013-14 Session".
- ^ "Senators Unveil Bipartisan Package to Overhaul PA Child Protection Laws". Archived from the original on 2013-11-26.
- ^ "Sen. Ward's amendment limiting the length of future emergency declarations approved by Senate".
- ^ "Sen. Ward's motion to table Amendment No. A-2029".
- ^ Bowden, John (2020-12-09). "Pennsylvania GOP leader on breaking with Trump on election: 'I'd get my house bombed tonight'". The Hill. Retrieved 2020-12-15.
- ^ Wereschagin, Mike (November 16, 2022). "Sen. Kim Ward 1st woman elected as Pa. Senate president pro tempore, 3rd-highest office in state". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved 30 November 2022.
- ^ Thompson, Charles (January 3, 2023). "Sen. Kim Ward takes over as first female president of the Pennsylvania Senate". PennLIVE Patriot-News. Advance Local Media LLC. Retrieved 3 January 2023.
- ^ Micek, John L. (January 3, 2023). "The Pa. Legislature returns: Three storylines to follow today | Tuesday Morning Coffee". Pennsylvania Capital-Star. Retrieved 3 January 2023.
- ^ "Ward begins brief lieutenant governor term as Fetterman goes". Associated Press. 2023-01-03. Retrieved 2023-01-07.
- ^ "Senator Kim L. Ward". Pennsylvania State Senate. Pennsylvania General Assembly. Retrieved 13 January 2023.
External links
edit- State Senator Kim Ward official caucus website
- Kim Ward (R) official PA Senate website