Kathy L. Chism (born August 22, 1957) is an American politician, serving in the Mississippi State Senate from the 3rd district since 2020.
Early life and education
Born in Aurora, Illinois, Chism moved to Mississippi and attended Myrtle High School in Union County. After graduating, she attended Northeast Community College and Itawamba Community College.[1]
Career
Chism has as a realtor, auctioneer, and business owner.[1] In 2019, she ran for a Mississippi State Senator for the 3rd district, which includes portions of Benton, Ponotoc, and Union counties.[2] She got 50.8% percent of the vote in the Republican primary runoff and 75.3% in the general election; she assumed office on January 7, 2020.[2]
For the 2024 session, she serves on the Enrolled Bills, Ethics, Executive Contingent Fund, Investigative State Offices, Labor, and State Library committees.[1]
Political positions
Chism has advocated for improvements regarding Mississippi's public education system. Prior to taking her seat, she called for a salary increase for public educators, a statewide public pre-K, and more opportunities for career and technical programs.[3]
In 2020, she filed a bill that would require health insurance agencies to help cover health care costs for hearing-impaired children.[4] The bill died in committee.[5] She filed an amicus brief against medical marijuana to the Mississippi Supreme Court and later voted against a separate senate bill creating a medical marijuana program.[6][7] In 2021, she filed a bill to prevent burning of the U.S. flag, despite Supreme Court precedent allowing it.[8] She voted against an economic development project for northern Mississippi.[9] She voted against early in-person voting legislation.[10]
She was against changing the Mississippi State Flag. In July 2020, she falsely claimed that the Mississippi Flag was designed by an African American Confederate Soldier, which was later proved wrong by the Mississippi Historical Society.[11] Chism was one of 14 senators to vote against the bill to change the Mississippi flag,[12] arguing the people of Mississippi should be allowed to vote on the decision.[13]
Personal life
Chism is a member of Union County Women, National Realtors Association, N. E. Board of Realtors, Republican Party Mississippi, and Mississippi Auctioneer. She is married and has one child and four grandchildren. She is a Baptist.[1]
References
- ^ a b c d "Kathy Chism". Mississippi State Senate. Retrieved March 15, 2021.
- ^ a b "Kathy Chism". Ballotpedia. Retrieved October 10, 2020.
- ^ Vance, Taylor (January 4, 2020). "Kathy Chism seeks to improve public education in Legislature". Daily Journal. Retrieved October 10, 2020.
- ^ Johnson, David (2020-02-12). "Local lawmaker files bill requiring health insurance agencies to cover costs of hearing-impaired child care". Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal. Retrieved 2024-03-31.
- ^ "Mississippi SB2268 | 2020 | Regular Session". LegiScan. Retrieved 2024-03-31.
- ^ Corder, Frank (2020-12-16). "Amicus briefs pile up in support of Madison Mayor's case against Medical Marijuana Initiative 65". Magnolia Tribune. Retrieved 2024-03-31.
- ^ Ulmer, Sarah (2022-01-26). "Mississippi Legislature has passed a bonafide medical marijuana program". Magnolia Tribune. Retrieved 2024-03-31.
- ^ Bedillion, Caleb (2021-01-26). "New Albany legislator proposes flag burning bill despite Supreme Court ruling". Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal. Retrieved 2024-03-31.
- ^ Pittari, Jeremy; Ulmer, Sarah (2024-01-18). "Lawmakers approve economic development project for North Mississippi". Magnolia Tribune. Retrieved 2024-03-31.
- ^ Ulmer, Sarah (2024-03-13). "Early in-person voting legislation passes Mississippi Senate". Magnolia Tribune. Retrieved 2024-03-31.
- ^ Bedillion, Caleb (January 22, 2020). "New Albany senator falsely claims Black man designed state flag". Daily Journal. Retrieved October 10, 2020.
- ^ Bologna, Giacomo (June 27, 2020). "Here is how each lawmaker voted on the Mississippi state flag resolution". Clarion-Ledger. Retrieved October 10, 2020.
- ^ Mitchell, Josh (July 2, 2020). "People were 'deprived' of right to vote on flag, Chism says". Daily Journal. Retrieved October 10, 2020.