By Laura Edelen

Kimberly Ward, a working single mother, said she is “not your typical politician” and she can relate to the problems of average citizens.

“I go to work every day, and I deal with the same issues as everyone else,” said Ward, the Republican candidate for state representative in the 75th District, which represents UK. “That’s one reason I’m qualified for the job.”

Ward said she advocates money management skills beginning at a young age, and she wants every student to be educated in financial literacy and life skills starting in middle school.

“Our children need to learn money management skills and business skills early in their education,” she said. “Once they get out of school and into the real world, not many kids have the financial knowledge they need.”

Ward states on her Web site that she also wants to provide affordable healthcare to everyone, including dental education in schools. Dental education in schools will help children lead healthier lives, as well as lower medical expenses, she said.

Ward is an expanded duties dental assistant and has been in dentistry more than 14 years. She started as a dental assistant in 1994 and was trained on the job.

Three years later, she went to work for a pediatric dentist and then went to UK to earn her expanded functions certification.

“I’m a big fan of UK, and I want to keep a personal, hands-on relationship,” said Ward. “I will speak to (UK President Lee) Todd, keep in touch and work with him to retain students.”

Ward said she plans to look into tuition costs and how they affect students, but said she has no specific ideas right now.

“I want to help find ways to lower tuition costs so we can retain students and keep the rate of graduating students up,” said Ward.

According to her Web site, Ward believes in fair tax rates and does not want to raise taxes.

“It will only make it harder for the poor people,” she said in a statement on her Web site.

Ward also worked as a deputy jailer at the Fayette County Detention Center, and she plans to support bills relating to detention center improvement.

“I will support local jails receiving funding, by the state, for inmates that have been convicted of a felony and are going to be transferred within the year,” she said in a statement on her Web site. “These jails should receive the correct amount of money due them.”

Ward also says she plans to support issues that benefit law enforcement and plans to support firefighter, jail deputies and teachers.