Kimberly Hardy

Kimberly Hardy first studied journalism at community college before switching to social work.¹ A single mother, she has spent time cheering at football, soccer and basketball games and track meets.²¹ Her father served in the Marines in Vietnam before becoming a police officer, and her mother was a federal investigator.¹

She earned her undergraduate social work degree at Morgan State, her master's at Ohio State and her doctorate at Morgan State.³ Before earning that doctorate, she worked as a school social worker, helping parents and educators find resources for students.¹ She has taught at Fayetteville State University since 2016.¹

Her research examines social work, faith and the Black church's role in community support.³ She has served as editor in chief of Social Work in Public Health and chaired the Sweet Tea Shakespeare theatre company.³¹ The Democratic nominee for state House District 43 in 2020, she has served as the state Democratic Party's second vice chair since 2023.¹

Hardy proposes restoring the federal Education Department's responsibilities and increasing federal support for public schools.² She advocates a progressive wealth tax and income tax relief for people earning less than $100,000.² She also supports wind and solar investment and tax credits for greener homes.² She challenges Republican incumbent David Rouzer.⁴⁵