Kim Ward is a Republican state senator representing Pennsylvania's 39th Senatorial District, which includes parts of Westmoreland and Washington counties. A native of Meadowlands, Pennsylvania, she grew up in southwestern Pennsylvania, resides in Greensburg, and is married to Dr. Thomas Ward with three sons: Tom, Michael, and Matthew. She is a Catholic and a breast cancer survivor.

Ward is a trailblazer as the first woman in Pennsylvania legislative history to serve as Senate President Pro Tempore and Senate Majority Leader . She was also Majority Caucus Administrator and the first woman elected to her Senate seat in 2008, with re-elections in 2012, 2016, 2020, and 2024.

Notable achievements include sponsoring pioneering legislation eliminating costs for breast MRIs, ultrasounds, and BRCA genetic testing for high-risk patients; reforming child abuse laws; implementing E-Verify for public projects; creating the Ready to Succeed college grant program; and leading reductions in state spending on methadone transportation. She previously served as Westmoreland County Commissioner and Chairwoman of the Hempfield Township Board of Supervisors .

Education and Political Experience

Education: Attended The Community College of Allegheny County , University of Pittsburgh, and Middle Tennessee State University.

Professional Background: Board Certified Respiratory Therapist at Allegheny General Hospital, Hershey Medical Center, and Vanderbilt University Hospital. Founder/Political Consultant at Ward Strategies ; Field Director for Southwest Pennsylvania Bush-Cheney ; Campaign Manager for Joe Hardy .

Political Experience:
- Pennsylvania State Senate, District 39 : Chairs or serves on committees including Transportation , Aging & Youth , Appropriations , Urban Affairs and Housing, Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness.
- Westmoreland County Commissioner .
- Hempfield Township Board of Supervisors, Chairwoman .
- Additional roles: Member, Pennsylvania Republican Party Leadership Committee; former Westmoreland County Republican Committee Chair; Alternate Delegate, Republican National Convention .