Kathy Chism
Kathy L. Chism | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Mississippi State Senate from the 3rd district | |
| Assumed office January 7, 2020 | |
| Preceded by | Nickey Browning |
| Personal details | |
| Born | August 22, 1957 Aurora, Illinois, U.S. |
| Party | Republican |
| Children | 1 |
| Alma mater | Northeast Mississippi Community College Itawamba Community College |
| Occupation | Realtor, auctioneer, business owner |
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 on August 22, 1957, 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 works 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 2026 session, she sits 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] 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.[5][6] She voted against an economic development project located in northern Mississippi that would have developed electric batteries.[7] She voted against early in-person voting legislation.[8]
Chism was one of 14 senators to vote against the bill to change the Mississippi flag,[9] arguing the people of Mississippi should be allowed to vote on the decision.[10]
In early 2025, she was commended for authoring a resolution to save a local meteorologist team.[11] Later that year, she introduced a resolution to call on Mississippi law enforcement agencies to partner with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.[12]
Personal life
Chism 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". Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal. Retrieved October 10, 2020.
- ^ Johnson, David (February 12, 2020). "Local lawmaker files bill requiring health insurance agencies to cover costs of hearing-impaired child care". Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal. Retrieved March 31, 2024.
- ^ Corder, Frank (December 16, 2020). "Amicus briefs pile up in support of Madison Mayor's case against Medical Marijuana Initiative 65". Magnolia Tribune. Retrieved March 31, 2024.
- ^ Ulmer, Sarah (January 26, 2022). "Mississippi Legislature has passed a bonafide medical marijuana program". Magnolia Tribune. Retrieved March 31, 2024.
- ^ Pittari, Jeremy; Ulmer, Sarah (2024-01-18). "Lawmakers approve economic development project for North Mississippi". Magnolia Tribune. Retrieved 2024-03-31.
- ^ Ulmer, Sarah (March 13, 2024). "Early in-person voting legislation passes Mississippi Senate". Magnolia Tribune. Retrieved March 31, 2024.
- ^ 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". Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal. Retrieved October 10, 2020.
- ^ Ford, Craig (January 24, 2025). "Senators help save WTVA weather team". WTVA. Retrieved December 11, 2025.
- ^ Tyson, Daniel (March 26, 2025). "Senator wants Mississippi law enforcement to partner with ICE on immigration enforcement efforts". Magnolia Tribune. Retrieved December 12, 2025.