Kim Ward Becomes Temporary Lieutenant Governor

Kim Ward Becomes Temporary Lieutenant Governor

By Bob Small

For about two weeks, Pennsylvania will have a Democratic governor and a Republican lieutenant governor.  Since John Fetterman resigned as lieutenant governor on Jan.4 Kim Ward, President Pro Tempore of the Senate, was sworn in to the position.  Her term will last until Jan. 17 when Austin Davis will be sworn in.

Ms. Ward is the first female to serve as President Pro Tempore.  She was chosen by her fellow GOP members who hold a 28-22 majority in the State Senate.

Undser the Pennsylvania Constitution,” the president pro tempore handles all the duties of the office of lieutenant governor, which include presiding over the state Senate sessions, chairing the state pardons board and chairing the state emergency management committee.”

Kim Ward Becomes Temporary Lieutenant Governor
Kim Ward, first female majority lead in Pennsylvania

Kim Ward has been the State Senator for District 39 since 2009.  District 39 includes Latrobe, Pa. (home of Rolling Rock Brewery and Fred Rogers) along with 37 other towns in Westmoreland County. 

Kim Ward is the first woman to be elected majority leader in either the Pennsylvania House or Senate.

Prior to her election to the state House, she was a Westmoreland County Commissioner and on the Hempfield County Board of Commissioners.

She lists her accomplishments as helping to pass laws on “reducing spending on state-subsidized methadone treatment transportation,”  and “implementing the federal E-Verify program to ensure workers on publicly funded construction projects are legally permitted to work.”

She also helped to “extend benefits to the families of campus police officers who die in the line of duty”.

Prior to elective office, she worked as a board-certified Respiratory Therapist at Allegheny General Hospital, Vanderbilt University Hospital, and Hershey Medical Center.

She and her husband Dr. Thomas Ward have three sons.

She is a breast cancer survivor and stresses how important screenings are.

Kim Ward Becomes Temporary Lieutenant Governor

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